How did you get into art? I kind of guess it dates back to my childhood . . . with my grandparents. (They) collected things. I got into different mediums. They collected iron horses (and) boxes and cards and wood ducks and stuff. I was kind of always . . . seeing groups of things put together. That was very big inspiration. (As was) my father (who) taught drafting at Central York High School. When I was young, (art) was one of the things that I was best at. I always kind of found myself doodling on the edges of the papers I was given. When I got to fifth grade . . . I met this kid Ryan Erickson, who is (now) Vivid Skin Tattoos. That (friendship) kind of fueled me because he was better than me in some areas. We would push each other.
When did you first show your art? My parents coached volleyball, too, so we'd be at all these tournaments. We went to Pittsburgh (for) a tournament we went to every year. I was pretty young, and I drew, like, 50 drawings. I hung them on the wall, and I sold them all for 50 cents. I just really got a kick out of selling art at a young age. I've never really been a normal job kind of guy. I always wanted to do something different.
Where did you go to school? In high school all I did was spend as many minutes as I could . . . in art class. Then, I went to Pennsylvania (College) of Art and Design, where I learned everything from drawing nude models to photography to sculpting. I went into illustration . . . and kind of learned the business aspect of all of it and (how) it's very hard to find a job in illustration. (I learned) I didn't necessarily have to work for somebody. I could do this kind of freelance. I went to Bradley Academy (now Art Institute of York) for graphic design, because at that point in time computer graphics were taking off. That's kind of how I got the hunger to do CD design and posters for bands, logos for people (and) T-shirt designs.
What bands and businesses did you work with? Paradise Movement. I've worked with The Underwater. I've done T-shirt designs for York volleyball camps. (I worked with) small restaurants (and) Biggest Label Ever. A friend (owns that) record label out in Los Angeles.
When did you decide you wanted to show your art? I kind of took a hiatus from art for a long time. I looked out in the world and I saw artists (who) were better painters and designers . . . and I really didn't feel like I had a place in that area. I kind of switched to making more music. (Koller is in the local band Ready Kilowatt). Then, an old friend of mine Joe Martin got a hold of me . . . and he came over and we made some art and did a show at (the 2009 Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival). We had them sell like hotcakes. I kind of had the idea to do things big (and) cheap. My generation . . . doesn't have a ton of money. They're starting to buy their own houses. They want original artwork. (I want to) encourage people to get into vintage things and to inspire them to make art and not give up. I certainly gave up, and now I can't stop. I want to be a full-time artist. I own a landscaping business now.
Why did you pick Lotus Moon Yoga for a venue for your opening? (A local artist) helped me get the ball rolling in the aspect of . . . theme (and) consistency in my artwork. I think I wrote something on Facebook (that said) "I wish just someone would give me one chance to show my artwork." Tifani Veronica Ennis works at Lotus Moon and (they) were starting to have art shows in their yoga studio. She (said), "we would love to have you."
What can people expect to see in your exhibit? The show is called "Miscellany." That's kind of me in a nutshell. I really like to take antiques and arrange them in glass courier cabinets. The artwork is kind of like that, too. It's a combination of my artwork mixed with backgrounds of things that I love. I hope people have a story to go with those pieces of art. Hopefully, when people see my stuff it brings back memories or makes people smile . . . and go back around again. I want people to really take a second look.
What's coming up for you in the future? This winter, I'm going to finish a recording studio in my basement. I just want to hopefully help people record music. I don't charge them. It's not about money to me. I love kind of being behind the scenes on that and helping people. Hopefully, this show . . . is a stepping stone for me to get into galleries and maybe a couple restaurants.
Online
Listen to the interview: www.flipsidepa.com.
Read more meet-the-artist:
www.flipsidepa.com/musicdirectory
If you go
York artist Greg Koller will show his work in an exhibit titled "Miscellany" at Lotus Moon Yoga, 237 N. George St., York. An opening event Friday will include door prizes, champagne and hors d'oeuvres. For details, call 424-2273, or visit www.lotusmoonyogayork.com.
Font Resize
