Conversations with Austin Lindemann

Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Lindemann.

Hi Austin, Thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a small child, I can remember no time when the Halloween season seemed normal; there was always something extraordinary about this time of year. I remember vividly discovering hand-crafted Halloween decor in the garage, made by my late grandfather, whom I’d never met. This moment was permanently etched into my memory, and from that day on, I knew that art, creating, and horror were all in my blood. I began playing with different mediums throughout my youth until I finally realized that sculpture was my niche around fifteen. It’s been nearly six years since I first laid my hands into cold water-based clay and made my first latex mask. Now, I’ve had the pleasure of working with artists I’ve admired my entire life, made memories I’ll cherish forever, made countless friends, and seen new parts of the world, and the best part is realizing this is only the beginning.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It still sucks! On a serious note, the road has become bumpier each year. This is a sign of growth. Without struggle, there is no progress; without failure, you cannot learn; without knowledge, you cannot inspire. I would be astronomically more successful had every big opportunity that’s come my way worked out exactly how I planned in my head. There’s beauty in this, however. I never want to reflect on my life and utter, “Because I got lucky.” I want my journey to the top to be manageable. I’ve learned the most about myself during my lowest points, which has always improved me. These grueling sleepless nights and heartbreaks are the meat and potatoes of my journey. I want the Austin Lindemann story to be one of overcoming adversity.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I use clay, plaster, latex, and dozens of miscellaneous mediums to create masks, costumes, and characters that impact the viewer; I’ve been blessed to be able to work with many different artists from different walks of life, many far more successful than I, and these are some of the projects I’m most proud of, but the Austin Lindemann originals speak to my audience on a deeper level. I channel my emotions into each piece, whether it’s an inner turmoil or a problem with the world. What sets me apart from others is that I really need this. This is a therapy for me.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I always discuss Halloween memories, so I’ll mix it up this time. The first time I ever rode a roller coaster was when I was either six or seven years old. The ride was Cedar Points Disaster Transport, an indoor space-themed dark ride. I had no idea what to expect, and as you can probably guess, I was horrified. My poor mother rode next to me and probably had bruises due to how hard I squeezed her arm. That’s a good memory, and roller coasters are sick. Amusement parks played a significant role in my childhood; I’ve drawn inspiration from them numerous times.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindemann_haunt_studios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindemannHaunt/