Emerging Artist: Jim Koch

Fri., Aug. 5, 2005

By Julianne Crane juliannec@spokesman.com (509) 927-2158

Age: 38

Born: Hillyard, now living in Spokane Valley

Education: Seattle Arts Institute, two years

Day job: Graphic designer, Jim Koch Design Company

Influences: Early Hot Rod-Kustom Car builders and painters, CARtoons magazine, National Hot Rod Association, cartoonist George Trosley, the Munsters, heavy metal. “Anything over the top,” he says, “things that shock.”

Type of art: “I am all over the board with design,” Koch says. “I do cartoons to technical. Web sites to acrylics. Manufacturing to installations.”

Talk a little about the process: “My design is controlled chaos,” he says. “Keeping it top quality and producing it fast is key.”

Right now in your career what is your intent with your art? “I want to do huge design deals. Accounts that pay nice. I have worked hard and with some major brands in the last 20 years. Keeping my design truly Jim Koch style and at a professional level.”

Where we can see your work: Kustom Kulture Gallery in Millwood (924-2531). “I have three different custom toy pieces currently on tour around the world,” Koch says.

Upcoming shows: “Circus Punk” toy show in New York City on Sept. 29; “Super 7 ROBOT Show,” a group show in San Francisco on Nov. 19; and “Tag the System” in New York City in 2006.

Anything you want to add: “Support the arts. Become a workaholic. Watch your back.”

Web site: www.jimkoch.com

E-mail: j-koch@excite.com

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