If you thought the creatures and animals James Cameron brought to life on Pandora in the 2009 sci-fi game-changer, Avatar was something breathtaking, wait until you see these esoteric manipulations of nature, which Austrian-born artist, Helmut Koller brings to life.

Labeled “Kollerism,” Koller’s paintings are the closest thing to Pandora you will find, with animals of all species brought to life, rendered in synthetic tones against color-saturated backgrounds. His paintings are collected throughout the world, currently exhibited in the US, Russia, and Asia.

Having just moved out to the Saint Petersburg/Tampa area of Florida, I was even that much more ecstatic to learn that Koller lives in Palm Beach! I reached out to Koller to learn more about his background in photography and painting.

Luxe Beat Magazine: Hi Helmut, it is a pleasure to speak with you today. Thank you for your time. Let’s start with how your interest in art began? 

Helmut Koller: There was really no art in my family, so the idea of becoming an artist myself, was completely unreal. My father was a hobby photographer, with a good camera. I was fascinated that you could create images with such a beautiful gadget. That was the main reason I became a photographer. When I moved to Vienna, to work for the State Opera there, I had friends, who were artists and I admired them for that. But at the end, and I am still intrigued by this fact, I discovered in myself, what I had admired in them.

LBM: For readers and patrons, tell us more about your experience as a photographer for the Vienna State Opera in Austria.

HK: Well, that is a typical Austrian story. We call it Vitamine C! The “C”, stands for connections. My father, a member of the Austrian Parliament then, asked his friend, who happened to be the Minister for Culture and Education, if he wouldn’t have a job for me. So they stuck me into the Vienna State Opera. But to the surprise of all, I really excelled at it. I fell in love with the theatre! The artists! The singers! The ballet dancers. Pavarotti, Bernstein, and Nurejew, was my daily life. I so enjoyed being able to work with the best artists in the world! Every day!

LBM: What would you consider to be the most challenging part of your experience working as a trainer photographer?

HK: The first photo rehearsal I had to photograph was the opera “Norma.” The great Montserrat Caballe, appeared on stage in a black cape, with a black hood, carrying a candle! That was all the light there was. So the challenge was technical. But I really loved my job, and I enthusiastically performed it.

LBM: Let’s talk about your transition and working for yourself. As a solo-entrepreneur, how does painting YOUR OWN personal branding impact what you do?

HK: For a long time, I was running exclusively on gut feeling and most of the time, not very confident at that. But when you stick with what you are doing, you can’t help, but gain experience. Today, I play it like the piano!

LBM: Why do you feel “animals” are the perfect representation of our world and nature?

HK: Well, I could have also chosen nudes to paint, but spots and stripes are more interesting. The Animals are means to a purpose. I do love animals, for sure, but these paintings are iconic portraits of sentient beings, supreme beauties, without a reference of time and space, esoteric manipulations of nature.

LBM: Each piece as a part of YOU in it. How do you inject YOU into each work?

HK: Just by doing it myself! No assistant(s)! I so find the idea of having countless minions, who create my paintings, endlessly appetizing! Just sitting there, with a glass of red wine in my hands, surrounded by an army of most beautiful muses, howling orders through a massive studio hall! Doesn’t that sound great? Of course this is a rather dumb cliché.

LBM: From each continent, what have you learned about the demographic, art culture, and the reception from your work? 

HK: I can’t say that I have learned from each continent, but the most fascinating for me, are China and Russia. Russians are highly educated. I have the feeling, they have a deep understanding of my art. Though I never talk about it, I do use the classical color harmony, composed with the Golden Ratio and such. They just seem to get it on a different level. China fascinated me as a culture!

LBM: What’s one thing readers should know about the art culture from each continent?

HK: Go there and find out for yourself!

LBM: Tell us about your process. What goes into putting a piece together?

HK: That is a subject I would very much like to discuss openly! But my galleries absolutely do not want me to talk about it. Basically the moment you are famous or considered doing well, you are copied. All I can say, that my technic is rather classical & traditional.

LBM: What do you want your aficionados and consumer base to take away from your work? 

HK: I am the creator, leader and only follower of my own art movement. Disciples need not apply! Kollerism is the best antipode to the doom and gloom of daily life!

To learn more about this artist visit helmutkoller.com.