Greg Ferris
Sep 12, 2009
I love lucky mornings and last Monday was one of them. Greg Ferris dropped me an email that unfortunately got snagged in my damn spam folder; I’m definitely one of those people that hits ’select ad delete all’. His name stuck out, or rather it didn’t sound like a porn name, and at the last second I saw ‘Artery Submission’. One click later and I was instantly hooked.
Greg’s work is equal parts illustration and collage, but not too much of either, with lot of movement and energy. He’s this great combination of artist and entrepreneur, someone who really stands a chance to shake things up down in Sarasota – a city that’s not exactly considered an art epicenter. I’m certain his optimistic attitude and an honest demeanor will go a long way.
Standard question, when did you discover you had a knack for creating?
I was a latchkey kid, so there was a lot of time to experiment when I was young. I always liked to make things, but it took be a while to realize that art didn’t have to be a portrait or still life. One of my early college instructors introduced me to Maya Lin and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and that’s when something clicked. Ideas can be beautiful! It was a quantum leap at the time.
Tell me about the different components in each piece – where are the illustrations from? The text? What’s your process during layout?
Old books- which is to say I had small luck in re-selling college texts! With magazines and travel brochures, I want to repurpose all the supposed trash piling up. Its everywhere, and what else is one to do?
Science seems to play a major role in your overall collection – is that purposeful?
My education started in architecture and engineering programs, so suddenly I had all these drafting tools and arranging things in a particular way began to stand for something. The natural world leaves me more questions, and that is my playground.
What would you say is the most important work you’ve made?
The first skateboard ramp at the end of my driveway! In retrospect I can attach all sorts of great significance to skateboarding, but it really was my first major medium. A kid starts assessing the possibility of every corner of the sidewalk, every staircase, every curb. All day you see the potential of spaces, even though we just thought we were little rebels. But its actually amazing how obsessing over something like skateboarding teaches kids. You ask yourself “what if…” and imagine something, some kind of trick, and try and try until you essential will it into existence! Starting to skate was definitely the most influential thing in my childhood. Actually, I still work at the skatepark in Sarasota…
What is Paraprofessional Magazine and how did it start?
Of the inspiration to do anything at all, I’d say I’m so smitten over the group at the Blow Your Horn Hunter blog. I tried to e-mail Drew Beckmeyer, but I think I embarrassed myself, heh. My girlfriend gave me a copy of Faesthetic, which I’d been fawning over, and I just had to make something. The timing was right locally, and I discovered a process that would work with people who wouldn’t usually consider themselves “artists.”
The first edition, the “Identity” issue, was made largely on photocopiers, finished, and printed in under a week. The contributors were asked to scan objects in their immediate environment and layer the prints over each other. I thought this was being a bit more honest than asking someone to make something that looked cool, because you can’t easily lie about these things around you, or their direct connection to who you are. Perhaps I was struggling with seeing work pop up that looked similar, or people telling me what my work reminded them of. The name is a personal reference, in my case being unaccredited and having to put school on hold to just make the best of things, in spite of what the family will think. But that seems to be a trend of this time and many others could relate to the feeling.
You mentioned that you are part of a larger artists collective, who else is involved?
Erin Murphy, for sure. She is my number one co-conspirator in putting together music and art shows. We launched a website at Finchhouse.com as the umbrella for a record label, and the host for cultural projects in Florida.
Noise ordinances almost killed the music scene in town, but there has been a late renaissance of the DIY spirit and lots of people who want to participate. We want to lift each other up with friendly competition and cooperation, and show touring bands that they are welcome in Sarasota with venues to play and a place to regroup after.
In spite of its rich art and architectural history, Sarasota has a problem with only recognized the so called “glazed hams.” Rather than complain, we want to implement new ways to for artists and would-be collectors to connect.
Who needs to shell out an “application fee” for a juried exhibition? How are the arts perceived that more kids don’t know how to get involved? Start a ‘zine! Let them buy a raffle ticket for a dollar and possibly leave with something unique to hang in their house! Show them a live painting during a concert and let them see what exactly artists do! There are better ways to conduct these things and anyone coming to South Florida should check out what we’re doing if they’re looking for a sincerely thoughtful night of fun.
How do you work together? (group shows, shared space, etc)
For me, it’s very welcome, and we wouldn’t be doing anything if it were not for the help of each person awesome enough to get involved. I think the best policy is to break down formal expectations, and let everyone with an idea contribute. There’s no value judgments to place on what is going on, or what’s good or bad. There is only what is happening- so we must make it happen! Maybe that sounds a little contrived, but doing so it certainly raises the bar and makes everyone better for it.
Where do you see that headed?
The good vibes have already started to come back around. I like to think of Walter Gropius; he is better known for creating the Bauhaus than any of his own buildings, but that resulting influence is undeniable. One of his students, Paul Rudolph, established himself in Sarasota and built the high school I attended. I’d like to see a solo show and a career, but I hope the integrity of my participation will someday inspire.
Recently you’ve acquired national/international attention, how does it feel to be spotlighted?
There is a round table on my front porch where the collective conspires. We smoke cigarettes, drink libations and pitch madness. It feels like we fast forward into the future and say, “Remember when we wanted to do this? We did!” Seeing my name on Juxtapoz or Beautiful/Decay is like a pat on the back, which feels good in itself, but there is always more work to do.
What did it take for you to reach out to publications/galleries?
This could be my most in depth answer, but it’s really a matter of a person finding their own way. No one can tell you what you’re really good at or what you should be doing- that’s for every individual to discover on their own.
When we started a band, we got tired of asking people to put us in their shows. So we started hosting our own – taking a tour across the country on a vegetable oil fueled school bus, and the people came to us. It was the same thing for starting art shows- people take notice of positive action. All I did was everything I could, and asked everyone to take part. Jeez, I’m a ham; the short answer is I started a website and sent e-mails. I owe this realization to my former teacher at FSU, Carrie Ann Baade.
Anything exciting in store for the next year?
I love my home base in Sarasota, but soon it will be rearing its own legs. Reaching out online has been a success, and I’m looking to do more group shows and collaborative work. I will have prints available for an upcoming auction at Escape Into Life, and a custom shirt screen-printed live at Clothesline’s One year Anniversary Party on October 16, 2009.
I will be touring with the band Maid Mosephine and the Equines as soon as we are done recording our EP. Anyone who would like to contribute to Paraprofessional, Finch House, or any other positive ideas please e-mail me at info@gregferrisinfo.
Keep tabs on Greg as he continues to shake things up in the Sunshine State, here.
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[...] The world gets smaller every second. The Artery Magazine, a blog for “art and subculture on the East Coast,” featured Greg Ferris in an interview today. Read it here. [...]
hell yeah.. work it , work it
Great interview!
loving it Greg. Look forward to reading more of your interviews!