Meet Austin Lindemann | Artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Lindemann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I first started producing art and marketing my name and work at the age of fifteen, my work life balance was severely uneven. Summer break would become my grind season. When school would pick up in the fall, my work life would go neglected. Thankfully, even at a young age my passion was strong. Soon every waking moment that wasn’t devoted to school or my nine to five would be spent in my workshop building my portfolio and brand. As I’ve changed, so has my work life balance. Admittedly, the balance is non-existent. I work during the day for an income that will be used to fund my next projects. I attend business classes in the mornings to better understand how to market myself, my products, and my brand. Almost all other waking moments are spent making products, advertising, networking, or attending tradeshows or conventions. I rarely see my closest friends in situations unrelated to work. I have completely submerged myself in my mission and learned to love the process more and more by the day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In many ways my life as an artist has felt like a spiritual journey. On surface level this may seem shocking because I am mostly known for making monsters. The typical Halloween costume or mask is viewed by most as a cheap novelty, but the labor-intensive process makes mask-making and prop-fabrication one of the most unique art forms. Rather than making stereotypical likenesses and characters, I enjoy sculpting what I feel. Almost every piece I have ever produced hides a deeper meaning. Whether it be the feeling of constantly running out of time, the influence of toxic peers, greed, or emotional effects of world events. I find sculpting to be therapeutic and I am constantly scanning my surroundings for sources of inspiration. With each project I take on, my overarching end goal is always to learn more about myself.

Anytime making art has felt easy I know that I’m doing something wrong. I am consistently challenging myself. I challenge myself with new mediums, new styles, or with ideas that signify new things. What I want the world to know is that I don’t make products or novelties, I make art. It may challenge every prerequisite you hold about art, which is exactly why I believe it is important. I’m not marketing gags, I’m marketing hundreds of hours blended with emotional experiences and stories. Each piece is a snapshot in time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohio has a reputation of being drab and dreary it seems, but hiding behind all of the cornfields and country roads are some of the most fun and creative people I’ve ever met. Each October some friends of mine put on a massive horror-themed convention that celebrates up and coming artists and the theatrical music scene. A large portion of my childhood was spent at the roller coaster capital of the world which is just a twenty-minute drive from my home. Cedar Point is the ultimate place spend a day with friends and meet new people. Visitors from out of town always seem to enjoy the views that come with living on the shores of Lake Erie. The area is also filled with beautiful nature preserves and state parks. Weekends in Northern Ohio are best spent on the lake, camping, 400ft in the air, or simply by spending time with friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many talented, caring, and supportive people that I have met or even had the pleasure to work with in my career. The most supportive by far however, has been my intermediate family. My mother specifically saw my passion at a very young age and helped me purchase some of the necessary materials to get started in my field. At times she was one of my biggest critic second only to myself. While my father would spend many late nights with me creating large molds or building set pieces, my mother would constantly push for me to develop a self-disciplinary work ethic. Now, my family can sit back and watch. They support me by wearing my merchandise or sharing my social media posts. I regularly bounce ideas off of them and breakdown my one year, five year, or even ten-year plans in great detail.

I also owe a lot of thanks to my friends at Distortions Unlimited in Greeley Colorado. Mr. Ed Edmunds has always been one of my favorite artists to look up to and has been extremely friendly and supportive each time we have met in person. His humble approach to sharing advice and publishing tricks to the trade have been of utmost importance to my success.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindemann_haunt_studios/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindemannHaunt/