Meet Joseph Findeiss | Photographer / Assemblagist / Collagist / Zinester

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

Hi Joseph, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Being an artist has never been a straight trajectory for me. I certainly didn’t start out considering myself an artist or creative, but there have definitely been some pivotal moments that pushed me deeper into that alluring, lost forest. Photography was my gateway into the artistic labyrinth; it became my rai·son d’ê·tre; I arranged my schedule to be in the darkroom as much as possible. During an exhibit early in my career as a photographer, I was introduced to Joseph Cornell – my perception of what art could be was blown wide open – I was through the looking glass. Assemblage and collage started as a fascination and became an affair then a betrothal and an alliance. These forms allow me to work with my hands and satisfy a propensity toward organizing and categorizing objects and images. I’ve had my break ups with art mediums in the past (we’ve reconciled and are on good terms now). I’m constantly learning new methods and mediums to supplement and complement the knowledge and skills I already possess like printmaking, bookmaking and publishing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would say it was not easy, nor will it ever be so; it’s a constant struggle. Every new project comes with a tinge of self-doubt but there’s also the drive to push through, to work to completion. I’m learning to trust myself, to listen to my instincts, to not play to the audience, and to let go of perfectionism. Experimentation can be key. Taking and actively applying lessons from graphic design and utilizing color theory has been a new interest of mine when considering space while making collages, assemblages and composing photographs. Also learning patience is huge; sometimes an idea coalesces quickly, other times it can take years to fully realize and complete a project and both are okay. That all being said, there’s a piece of myself that goes into every project, every artwork, every photograph that I create and put out into the world. It’s difficult not to do this. Continually putting myself out there, regardless of reception, is scary too but so important and most artists will find that there’s a really solid community out there that supports art in all its forms.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Capitol Hill and there are some great places to go within walking distance: Hudson Hill, Potager, Thin Man, Leon, DAM, Denver Botanic Gardens just to name a few. A midnight picnic in Cheesman Park with the ghosts. Live music at the Hi-Dive, Lost Lake or Nocturne. Cart Driver, Domo, El Taco de Mexico, or one of the countless restaurants I haven’t been to yet. A backyard dinner would be an absolute must. Or perhaps an exceptional show at Red Rocks. Or listen to vinyl and sip cocktails at ESP Hi-Fi. Wax Trax, Sweet Bloom and Tattoo Dumond for requisite friend tats. Indian Hot Springs for a soak, Rocky Mountain National Park for a hike to Dream Lake. I’m sure I’m leaving so much out but I can’t give away all my secrets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is kind of a difficult question. I think, in general, artists derive inspiration from a variety of sources: their environment, their personal experiences, their education (traditional schooling, mentorships, or through self-education), film, music, literature, other art / artists, et cetera. I think it’s often understated how much simple interactions can influence an artist and their output; a brief conversation or a walk through a neighborhood or how light interacts with a landscape at a particular time of day could inspire a new body of work or influence a shift in perspective away from embedded constructs inherent in how art is defined. My hope is that my work is constantly dynamic, drawing from multiple sources. Choosing one person or one source of inspiration would be near impossible; there are so many!

Website: www.josephfindeiss.com

Instagram: @dear_orpheus, @josephfindeiss.studio, @posthumously_yours

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