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Meet Tim Koch

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Koch.

Tim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a Colorado native born in Boulder and in high school and after working at the Boulders Dinner Theatre, I caught the acting bug. I moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. My design career began in NYC when I started working as a window display artist in the Village to make ends meet. I would see a lot of Broadway shows, operas and work in summer theatre during my time in the city and I learned a lot about stagecraft, which influences my work today.

I decided to move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my acting career and I landed a job as a model maker for the film “The Abyss.” That’s where I learned a lot about building scale models and a variety of modeling techniques. After the production ended, I was hired as a store artist at Tower Records. I learned to create 3D displays for upcoming record albums and how to design and build a point of purchase displays. I would also create instore band appearance artwork that would promote their band’s upcoming album release. After working there a year and a half, the Art Director of Tower Records decided to create his own company and work for the record companies directly and he asked me to join the production team. We would design and build 3D billboards on Sunset Blvd for a variety of bands and décor for album listening parties.

That’s where I discovered the world of special events. I would work freelance for many years, creating one of a kind event décor for a variety of catering and production companies throughout the Los Angeles area and beyond. After a series of successful events in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was offered a position to work for Mirage Resorts and helped create an in-house department that serviced all of its resorts special event needs. We would produce well over 500 events per year.

From slot tournaments to New Years’ Eve events and corporate events too. After working at MGM Mirage for 9 years, I decided to return to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry, creating décor for movie premieres, press events and high-end social events. I was fortunate to have worked on events in NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, New Orleans, Orlando and even Cannes France!

After working as a Production Designer in the special event industry for over 30 years, I had the desire to create my own artwork. In 2014 I received a design patent for the “Trailer-Trash” Trashcan. A whimsical sculpture that functions as a wastebasket. Currently, I’ve been working on creating a body of work—unique sculptures and shadow boxes that depict 3D miniature scenes illuminated with LED lighting. My work is an example of everyday life. Things we see every day but are displayed in a different context that creates a unique perspective. A tongue and cheek look at experiences we all share, re-imagined in 3D sculpture. The title of the piece initiates the story, the rest is up to the viewer. I often work on a miniature scale as it draws the viewer into the scene. I strive to create original artwork—a signature style of 3D artwork that is uniquely me.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My goal has always been to create original artwork, sell it and make a decent living. Sounds simple enough… right? Not! When I decided to pursue a career as an artist, I had one piece of artwork. It’s taken me over six years to create a body of work. I don’t do commissions because my entire design career was commissioned. So I really wanted to create original artwork that draws from my life experience, not ordered from a menu of designs.

After I established a body of work, I then had to promote it. That’s been very challenging, especially during a global pandemic. I miss the gallery shows that I participated in California, and I was very fortunate to get into a group show in Boulder prior to the COVID 19 shut down. I believe the 3D sculpture needs to be viewed in person. The computer screen just doesn’t do it justice, especially if you have smaller details and incorporate LED lighting into your pieces.

I once I was juried into a group show in a gallery in the Downtown LA Arts District. It was the most relevant show that I had ever been juried into. One of the jurors was very prominent in the Low Brow art scene and the more I read about him, I realized this guy was somebody that was highly respected and very well known in the art scene. I was really getting excited to be a part of this show. One morning just a couple of weeks before the show opened, his name was trending on Twitter. At first, I thought, this is awesome… it’s going to bring even more attention to the upcoming show! But unfortunately, he was trending for the wrong reason. He had passed away that morning. Later that week, they disclosed that he committed suicide and he had been dealing with depression most of his life. I felt a sense of loss, not only for his family and friends but for the fact that I was never able to meet him and hear his feedback on our artwork. The door of opportunity closed as fast as it opened. The show opened, and that evening was appropriately a memorial for him and our artwork was the background to his life gone too soon. We never really know what’s going to happen in life and each day is truly a gift.

As an artist, you have to be very persistent and continue to trust the process while enjoying the journey. Currently, I’m looking for an ecommerce site that is a good fit for my 3D artwork. The world is becoming more and more virtual… so we all need to adapt, right? I continue to keep creating new 3D pieces and look for additional opportunities for exposure. That’s why this Voyage Denver interview is great, it lets people know that I am here and here’s my artwork! I once had a successful artist give me some advice. They said all you need to do is find a couple of art collectors who love your artwork, but they also genuinely want to support you as a creative person. That small audience can keep you busy for many years to come. I’m still trying to find my audience. Once I do, I believe there will be “standing room only”.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
Currently, I am creating original 3D artwork for sale. I work out of a small studio at Studio 5.5 in Boulder. Originality is very important to me. I don’t want to recreate designs people have already seen just so that I can sell it. It has been original. Sometimes I’ll google an idea… if it comes up in the search, I move on to the next concept.

Making my own signature style of artwork provides me an unlimited supply of creative license and joy. It’s fun to do your own thing! I continue to explore ideas and designs that I believe will be engaging to the viewer. Creativity… think beyond the box! Creativity cultivates creativity it’s like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it gets… it’s truly contagious and fun.

I enjoy working with a variety of substrates, but my specialty is using foam core. It’s lightweight, extremely versatile and you can use it for a variety of applications. In the event world, I’m known for my foam-core props and signage. I also love to incorporate special lighting into my artwork. At night, my pieces take on a theatrical look by using miniature LED lighting and Roscoe gels for the perfect color. It sets a mood for the piece that you don’t get during daylight viewing.

I’m most proud of my design patent for the “Trailer-Trash” Trashcan. It started as a sculpture and the entire application process took over a year and a half to receive the patent from the United States Patent Office. What sets my work apart from others is a craft. I constantly work on making my artwork finely made and clean but still maintain a handmade quality. I’ve always believed that a cleanly executed design is what sets it apart from an average piece of artwork to a finely crafted piece of artwork. I also enjoy including humor in my pieces of artwork. Everyday situations that are ironic or absurd, yet we see these examples in life every single day. When I see someone look at my artwork and they laugh out loud, that makes me happy.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the unconditional love and support from my wife and partner in life for 32 years. Becky has always supported my crazy ideas and continues to believe. It’s a gamble to walk away from a career to pursue a dream. Every artist understands how fortunate they are to be able to take that leap and try it. Later on in life, you won’t have to ask yourself…what if?

My Mom has always supported any kind of creative endeavor. Whether it’s acting in a show or as an artist, she is all in. And is always excited to see my new projects that I am working on and updates on my progress.

Throughout my design career, I’ve had some amazing mentors. Steve Pollutro, former Art Director of Tower Records, taught me some art techniques that I continue to utilize in my artwork today. A style he showed me and I ran with it and he became one of my best friends. Cheryl Fish, former V.P. of MGM Mirage Events, was like my work Mom. She believed in me on day one and she is still one of my biggest fans. She taught me that nothing is too “over the top,” and the “wow” factor is what people are seeking. Dream it and make it happen.

Inna Poncher, owner of POKO Event Productions. She was like my work sister. She gave me creative license in all projects we worked on. Trusted me without question and allowed me to explore ideas and designs for her clients. I’m very grateful for all of the people I’ve worked with throughout the years, Learning from them was so much better than taking a college course any day!

My son Christopher has grown up with my ideas and a variety of creative projects. He’s always been very supportive, critical at times and looks at my artwork and says, “That’s my Dad!”

Pricing:

  • Estes Park 3D shadowbox 6:H x 18″W x 2.5″D $375
  • Estes Park shadowbox art print 6″H x 18″W $45
  • “Trailer-Trash” Trashcan $300
  • Cell Phone $1500
  • Affordable Lawncare shadowbox 12″H x 14″W x 10″D $500

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