Posted on May 9, 2011 on designerstuff.net
Cotier was a famous illustrator, racking up awards in airbrush illustration early in my career. If one wanted to hire Cotier, one talked to Bonnie, the studio assistant. Cotier was a recluse. Cotier couldn’t be bothered chatting to the clients. Bonnie went to do speeches for Cotier. She met with clients, took the briefs and delivered the work.
Design and Illustration for Cosmic Cow™ by Bonnie Cotier
It was only after years that a client, who had been using Cotier for about two years at that time, insisted that they meet him.
The picture in my head of Cotier closely resembled Lazlo Roth who had been my teacher at Parsons. Old guy, bald, long moustache, maybe a beard with critters living in it, funny accent. Probably he smoked and the nicotine mixed with the Dr. Martin’s Dyes on his fingers.
Imagine the surprise in the industry when Bonnie had to come out and admit, that she, Bonnie Cotier, a very young woman, in the most testosterone driven sector of a boy’s club industry was this recluse.
This story inspired me for so many years. When I founded my first design firm, I chose French Smith & Associates, using the surname of my then husband to create the illusion of a man. It worked.
So it was such a treat to find myself sitting next to Bonnie at a Glug Meetup in London last year. We commiserated about starting over in a foreign country, without the extensive networks we both had in the States. Like all Americans we really groused over the appliances, the plumbing, and crazy drivers, even as we celebrated how much we love living here. I came voluntarily. She was here as a trailing spouse and despite having to start over in business was loving living here.
We began having Friday conference calls to present our action lists for the week and report on progress from the previous. We committed to having at least three items to pursue. We consulted with each other on clarifying each of our visions for our businesses and I read and evaluated her project packages and developing a social media practice along with her design firm, Golden Dog. (My main complaint was that she was not charging enough.)
She gave me great support when my Mother died and planned to be there for me when the reality of her death and grief actually set in.
In February I had a dinner to thank those closest to me for being my support, especially in this past year. Bonnie and her wonderful husband Steve celebrated with me and the few others of my closest friends—the family I have made for myself.
Bonnie and Steve regaled my other guests with stories of cave diving and exotic travel. Bonnie had shared her side of the story of when she and Steve had gotten together. I laughed that her family called a hike with Bonnie “death marches” and swore that I would not join her.
Bonnie had me “friend” each group and person for whom she created a Facebook page.
You can imagine my shock when taking a moment to peek at my Facebook feed that one of the group administrators posted the tragic news that Bonnie had lost her life in a cave diving incident.
I mourn my friend, my sister, my encourager, the person who could give the kick-in-the–pants in a way that was a love tap.
I am helping her dear husband with her business. Finishing projects and in a few instances had to break the sad news to clients in the States and trying to work hard to fill up that sad empty place that she left in my heart.
Leave a Reply