We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Finnigen Rynehart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Finnigen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As cliché as it sounds, I knew what I wanted to do around the age of 6 or 7. I was always artistic from day one, but drawing and small crafts were not enough for me. Growing up on a large wooded farm, I had a lot of space and landscapes that could be explored. I wanted to create an entire world for myself. I was obsessed with it. I would build little bamboo weapons and masks and create music and traditions all while completely ignoring the real world around me. I would sometimes paint symbols on the trees and make my own languages that I used to communicate with my made up villagers. As I grew up, the pretending may have stopped, but I continued to try and create my own world through art and music. I began painting with oils and learning to play the piano and guitar. I also began exploring fashion around this time.
I wouldn’t quite say I knew I wanted to pursue a creative life, but more so didn’t know anything else. The obsession to create my own world and story burned inside me. Any path I could take that allowed me live in my own fantasy world was the one I wanted.
I learned very quickly as a young adult that my happiness solely depended on being able to constantly be creating. It didn’t matter whether it was art, music, writing, or fashion. Just as long as i was busy and utterly lost in myself.
Pushing into my 30s now, I feel the same fire just as strongly as that small boy covered in painted on tattoos running through the woods did. I need to create.
Finnigen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Oh man, I always struggle with this question. The age old question “Who am I?”. As far as titles go, I like to consider myself a painter first, then a musician, then a fashion enthusiast. I suppose that order can change depending on the day though. :)
Around 19 I became a signed touring musician and played guitar and keys for a living. This life also lead to writing and producing music for other bands and artists. Some years later after dealing with some life issues and learning to love myself. I moved out to San Diego and began taking painting more seriously. The desert landscapes and never ending colors have lit the fire in me again.
As a day job I work as a mechanical engineer or the military (yes you read that right). However, as paintings continue to sell and I become more noticed, my goal is to do art full time.
I also just released my first single “White Lies” on Spotify and iTunes and plan on finding my way back into music.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My end goal is to art and music for a living. I feel I am very close now but I never try to rush it. I want my journey to happen naturally. I paint every single day regardless of a goal so I think as long as I continue my practice good things will come.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
As wild as this may sound, I wish I would have know about the library more when I was a child. Most of my childhood was farming and I did not get to visit the library much or libraries that had much. Being able to flip through books of artists and magazines about fashion would have rocked my world. I think I would have felt less isolated and strange and became more confident. This might have lead to me getting out there faster and finding myself a bit sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: finnigenrynehart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finnigenrynehart/
- Other: Music Group Name- Both Tiger Die