Meet Sebastian Fendelander | Portrait Artist/Filmmaker/Writer

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

Hi Sebastian, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a very visual artist. I love filmmaking and painting. I love telling stories. I find people’s personal stories fascinating. Who they were, who they are now, and who they aspire to be. I love hearing about the pivotal moments in people’s lives that lead to growth and change. Or what people love that makes them unique. And then using my imagination to bring all of these things together in a portrait or film that really speaks to the individual.

I love creating things, so starting the business seemed like a great opportunity to bring other people’s visions to life. It’s fun, and every portrait becomes a creative puzzle that needs to be solved.

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’m a heavily visual artist that loves telling stories and evoking emotions. I love photography, film, photoshop, and digital art.

I’m proud of the images I’ve created, attending film festivals for the short films I’ve made, and the stories I’m writing. I had the privilege of designing and painting a mural for the elementary school that my children go to.

My biggest inspiration is writer directors who are able to express their creative vision on paper, then go on to make the vision into reality as a director. I’m inspired by everyone’s story of the hardships in their lives and how it made them who they are today as well as the promise of the future.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that everyone has an opinion. So you really have to make your art about what appeals to you. You can collaborate with others, but in the end you have to be true to yourself. It’s your unique experiences that shapes how you see the world and your take on it.

I’m both logical and creative. I studied Math and Art. I have worked in IT and film. I love analyzing large datasets in spreadsheets, creating compositions, and telling stories about the human condition and finding levity in the absurdities of life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of the local café’s like Parrot Café and Kitchen Mouse. Millard Falls is a short hike, but long enough to get the blood pumping and test your balance as you cross the streams. Huntington Gardens are beautiful as well as the Arboretum. The Dresden for dinner. Maybe catch a movie at the Chinese Grumman Theater or play upright Arcade games at Barcade. If they’re playing, catch a Sea Wolf show in the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank all the people who have made my progress possible and kept pushing me. People who have believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’d also like to shout out to Lisa Fendelander. She is a super creative multi-talented artist. She does fashion design, wood burning pet portraits, teaches music, is in multiple bands, and now she’s staging houses!

Website: fendelanderportraits.com

Instagram: @fendelanderportraits

Facebook: Fendelander Portraits