An Interview with Finnish Artist Juha Rindell Aka "The Rock Painter"

Music is universal. It inspires the masses; and there is something about a rock star that brings out the creative side in other types of artists. Rock and roll's bluesy roots were born in the juke joints and back porches of America's 1950s south. Rock and roll came along, taking or borrowing from the blues, like a hard wind inspired by the mighty rain. As rock and roll's sound developed, the music grew into a deafening thunderclap, and rock artists became legendary. People began to follow rock stars; be it up and coming musicians or anyone who loved a smoking good, rock-and-roll show. The individual visual style and look of a rock star helped to emulate them to legendary status, and through inspiration, a genuine affinity for the music, or a favorite group or solo rocker, others started to document each precious era of rockers and their style. The media recorded them in action, famed photographers captured the still visual and moment, and artists captured the personality of the rock star as an icon. One painter taking the painting of rock stars to the next level hails all the way from Finland. His name is Juha Rindell, and he calls himself the "Rock Painter".

When did you first start to paint?

I started painting in 2005, but I have been drawing all my life. At the time my children were born I took a little break from drawing. I think my work as a sales manager gave me an impulse to start painting again. My work can be really stressful and with painting and listening to music I can ease that stress.

Have you had any formal training?

No, I have not had any formal training or any kind of education about painting. I am a so-called self-taught artist. Fortunately I have a good artist friend Ante Johansson who has helped me a lot when it comes to certain painting techniques. But often you just have to learn things by yourself.

How would you describe your technique and art?

My art is some kind of a mix of pop art, photorealism and comics. I use acrylic colors and sand paint to make the paintings come alive. Or to be more specific: to make a painting's surface come alive. My implementation is very accurate or sharp because I try to achieve a photorealistic result.

Do you have any unusual techniques?

Sand paint.

Sand paint?

Sand paint, that's right. Sand paint is "my thing". With sand paint I'll get this three dimensional feeling to my paintings. Most of the time I use sand paint in people's hair and their jewelry. There are also some paintings that have been layered thoroughly with sand paint. Lighting has also plays an important role. Light from above towards the painting makes my painting's surface come to life, and that gives a unique impression to my works.

Do you prefer to paint in black and white or color?

I would rather use powerful colors that have something to do with the person in subject. But if I have a feeling that something needs to be in black and white, then black and white it is.

What's the difference?

I think that it is more challenging for me to use colors and by that it often is more challenging to the viewer also. There is lots of black and white pop art and my way to differ from the masses is to use colors.

Do you have a certain routine; like listening to the particular artist's music while painting?

Always when painting I listen to music, always. With music I can get to the right mood. As I have said sometime earlier, the music moves my brush. With head phones on, and brush in my hand, I am in my own beautiful world all by myself. This is mainly the reason for the calling "Rock Painter".

What made you decide to paint rock stars?

Well, that kind of music is my greatest source of inspiration and naturally it affects how I choose the subjects in my paintings.

What is the music scene like in Finland?

Actually the scene is quite the same as with the rest of the world, although a bit heavier music is more popular here than it seems to be anywhere else. Perhaps it is the heavy sound and songs in minor key that fits the Finnish human nature.

That's very cool. Who is your favorite rock artist of all time?

The universe's hardest rocker of them all, the one and only Billy Idol! There's no question about it. I've been a fan of him for 25 years.

Who or what inspires you the most as an artist?

The first thing is the person's charisma and how it affects to me. The second is the looks: is there something personal about it and how challenging is it in painting their attitude. And of course there is the music, how that affects me at the moment. When all these pieces fit into place I get the feeling that I have given soul to the painting.

Do you paint rock stars only, or a combination of subjects?

At the time I have kind of rock star season, but I paint also other famous persons, for example movie stars. From time to time I also get requests to paint some objects or articles, but I prefer portraits. I think it is more challenging. A few times I've been asked to paint portraits of someone's family members, but for the time being I refuse!

Currently where and how is your art sold and distributed?

Some of my paintings can be found at the local art shop here in my home town Turku. With the internet I have reached the whole world, and I get lots of contacts. With MySpace I also create new contacts and meet new friends, and I have a website. Exhibitions are also very important, but so far I only had one at Helsinki in 2006. At the moment I am working out the details to have an exhibition here in my home town in early 2009.

You can find Juha Rindell from the following places:

www.

rindellart. com

www.

myspace. com/rock_painter