Crystal Coochise was born and raised in Michigan, where she lived in the country raising 20 chickens, fish, cats and a dog, while going to school at Montague Area Public Schools. She made 60-100 videos and 5 edited movies filmed in nature and in her grandmother's basement for friends, family, school, church, puppet shows, and as an video advertisement for New Era Christian Public Schools. She was involved in DECA, FFA, track, colorguard, chorus, 4-H, Mad House, 1st Priority, Unity Christan Music Festival, Forensics, rollerblading, snowboarding, creating art, animations, photographing nature and events, and editing on her computer. She recieved awards for state and local business competitions for Business and Services Marketing with DECA, 1st place in the White Lake Forensics Duo competition,2nd place in the 440 and 1 mile relay/run in track, Best of show and "A" awards from the Oceana County Fairgrounds for artwork created in school,5th place in showmanship with a 2 year old Heifer, 5th place in state for marching band with the colorguard at the Pontiac Silver Dome. Recieved Honor Carrier for the Muskegon Chronicle,Created props for haunted houses, competed in softball and volleyball tournaments, carved racing cars for the Awana races, catered a wedding for Pioneer Trails Camp, was trained as a Sou Chef in French culinary cuizine and graduated from high school in 2001 and went to Muskegon Community College for Communications to make movies and films, while working for the Muskegon Chronicle, Michael's Restaurant, Pioneer Trails Camp, The Coastline Delicatessen, and ran a 24 channel PA System/ Power Point presentation for Ferry Memorial Reformed Church for 6 years. She recieved her Associates of Arts in Communications from Muskegon Community College in 2003.
In 2004 she joined the U.S. Army, traveled to South Carolina for Basic training and Georgia for her AIT training, than continued her travels to Europe where she lived three years in Germany and one year in Iraq. She worked as a 31U Signal Support System Specialist and was retrained as an Automator working in the special Video Communications and Graphic Design division. There she designed banners, coins, cards, video and Power Point presentations, set up and ran the Pa Systems,light tap system, tape decks, cd players, and overhead projectors at the St. Barbara's Day Balls, events, and videotaped retirement and casing of the Colors ceremonies. Crystal worked as the Boss Representative getting single soldiers to go on trips and also created a blog to describe her adventure while being in Iraq called
"Imagination Grows Wild"
Crystal has traveled to 16 different countries and 32 states that have inspired her in art, photography and design. In 2008 she retired from the Army, Moved to Arizona and went to work for Phoenix Rubber Stamp company as a Graphic Designer and System Administrator, and head of the Sublimation department, also working with vinyl for wayfinding, and photographing products. She went to School at Arizona State University for Visual Communications, photography, and sustainability. Soon She was employed at The Phoenix VA Health Care System as a Visual Information Specialist in Medical Media and Taking pictures for the Public Affairs office for the Desert Sun Periodical and the Hayden Hotline Spotlight. She Set up and took down the PA system and Projector for the conference rooms and work with vinyl lettering for wayfinding, murals, door signs, and parking lot signs. Crystal ranked in the top 44 designers at Arizona State University in 2010 and wrote a 440 page book called "Imagination from the Heart of an Aspiring Artist in 2009. in 2012 She had to move her education to The University of Phoenix to complete her training and also moved to Michigan for about a year.
In 2016 Crystal worked for Advance Eco print Company, as a Graphic Designer, Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in IT, Visual Communications Multimedia and Design and Moved to Arizona where she Met Ben Joe and Worked for DIRECTV as a Sales Associate selling tv's, appliances, computers, equipment, and DIRECTV services. She worked as a vendor and a black light artist with Ben Joe, marbling bottles, creating lamps, logos, banners, 3D art, glow in the dark art, publishing books, conducting system administration,and designing art with Ben Joe. Ben and Crystal loved their dog Daisy and incorporate her in a lot of art work. Ben Draws, makes dream catchers, designs jewelry, pendants and helps Crystal with designs and sets up booths for Jackfest. Ben Joe Grew up In Arizona and Utah where he was used to working hard as a plumber, cooking Frybread and mutton or steak on the street corners, creating pointillism artwork, jewelry, dream catchers, participating in Pow Wows, wrestling, engraving, wood burning, taking care of his siblings and later his own kids. He was used to the hard life where hauling water, hunting, and using survival techniques were the norm. He worked in construction and plumbing for over 20 years. Crystal works with watercolor, inktense pencils, colored pencils on black or white paper, chalk, pastels, neon pencils, acrylic paintings, black light drawings, and vector graphics. She has created videos, animations, 3D objects, signs, banners, logos, single line drawings, books, black light shows,murals, sublimation, Vinyl installation,and construction. She loves to study nature, build and invent just about anything.Crystal wrote a second book in 2016 called "The Victor L. Nickson Legacy Book" which was a 210 page book and is currently working on a third book.
In 2017 Crystal Coochise set up her own Graphic Design, Art and Photography Business "White Flower Designs" as well as co created "Navahopi Frybread Company" and created Blacklight art, She later reopened The Business in 2023 Specializing in Art, Black Light Art, Digital Design and Photography. Crystal Trained A Queensland Blue Heeler named Daisy for thirteen Years with Ben Joe helping out in the last five years who she married and who works with her to Train their service dogs: A Queensland Blue Heeler Named Lulu and A Husky named Sorin learning tricks and manners, Soon there will be puppies on the way...
In 2017 Crystal Coochise set up her own Graphic Design, Art and Photography Business "White Flower Designs" as well as co created "Navahopi Frybread Company" and created Blacklight art, She later reopened The Business in 2023 Specializing in Art, Black Light Art, Digital Design and Photography. Crystal Trained A Queensland Blue Heeler named Daisy for thirteen Years with Ben Joe helping out in the last five years who she married and who works with her to Train their service dogs: A Queensland Blue Heeler Named Lulu and A Husky named Sorin learning tricks and manners, Soon there will be puppies on the way...