“That Iʼm only able to be my own version of an artist. Iʼm at my best when I allow myself to be me, fully.” – Since I know him, truly in love with his pictures and finally here is an interview for you to enjoy with American artist-photographer, Josh Paul Thomas. Cover picture: Poles of Palm Springs with @crowbartay
Could we start with some background information about you? Where you grow up, where you based, how did you get interested in photography?
I was born in Northern California near Sonoma. I moved to Western Montana when I was 10, and grew up there. I moved to Los Angeles for film school at 19, where I studied directing, editing and production design. After school I got a job working for an art director and begun set designing photoshoots. I stayed in the commercial photography world for many years, during that time I fell in love with photography. I made the move from art directing to taking photos in 2015. I was hired by a tremendously creative designer, Bernhard Willhelm, and began a careershooting for their brand. I stayed in the fashion industry for many years, which was an amazing experience and allowed me to travel all over the world.
Did you always know photography was your ultimate go-to outlet of
expression?
I didnʼt always know, but I really hoped that I could be brave enough to allow photography to be my main outlet of expression. It was a long road of secretly taking pictures, keeping it very on the dl because I was afraid of people judging me. When I was younger I felt like I was an imposter if I called myself a photographer. Because I wasnʼt getting paid or commissioned to take photos. But eventually I broke through that and allowed it to become my main form of expression.
There is always time and learning for someone to find their own style. That you remember back, was something of a turning point from your photos are started to be “Josh Paul photography”?
For many years it was just a passion, I brought my camera everywhere and was very focused on documenting my crazy life in Los Angeles. It was right when people where becoming instagram famous, photographers were shooting content just for the sake of shooting. On the other hand so many of my peers at that time were reluctant to work on shoots that didnʼt have a magazine/company attached to the project. For me it was the most creative period for my photography, I would experiment and recreate famous photos, I was truly searching for my “look and style”, which I eventually found.
What is the best thing to being a photographer?
Well in the beginning of my journey I was very focused on shooting the male figure. I was boy crazy and really wanted to follow in the footsteps of Bob Mizer, who is one my biggest inspirations. It was such a wet dream to be able to shoot beautiful boys, and for a time it was the best part about being a photographer. It’s all very erotic if you allow it to be. After my hormones relaxed I was just grateful to capture anything through my lens that was beautiful and unique.
Any major inspirations?
Of course Bob Mizer and Tom of Finland, Hemult Newton was a big one for me when I was younger, Jurgen teller & Wolfgang Tillman came a little later on, Ren Hang & dash snow, Bruce Weber, Tony Duran, Steven Kleine and David Lachapelle to name a few.
How you became the spokesman for Bob Mizer, and what do you do in that role?
I was always drawn to bob mizer, and though that obsession I naturally gravitated towards the Bob Mizer foundation. I went to a big exhibition they did at moca and met Den Bell the president of the foundation. I guess I made an impression because years later when they decided to relaunch physique pictorial they asked me to be a featured photographer in their first vol. Which was such an honor. Then a year later they approached me to be the spokesman. It was like a dream come true. Currently I focus my role on promoting the volumes, and creating video content for the site and instagram. But hopefully someday we can have the financial flexibillity to expand the volumes into something more diverse and grand.
You do artworks just as photography. Which in what field satisfies you?
Iʼve been painting with oil for 6 years now. But I wasnʼt approaching it as a profession/passion till around 2017. I had my first solo exhibition in 2018 at this amazing gallery in Boyle heights; MARS Gallery. The show was originally going to just be photography, but after the curator saw my oils it morphed into a mix of both. Oil painting is one of those mediums that allows the artist complete freedom & control to create what ever they want.
Where as Photography is working in a constrained frame of what currently exists; whether you create the setting or you find it naturally, its more of an adventure/hunt for what youʼre looking for. Each is equally satisfying. Sometimes you want to paint but you just donʼt have the energy to create something from nothing. And other times the camera allows me to discover something that I didnʼt realize I was searching for. And photos have an instantaneous gratification where as painting can be an on going journey that may change many times over before youʼre satisfied.
What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself as an artist since you started?
That Iʼm only able to be my own version of an artist. Iʼm at my best when I allow myself to be me, fully.
If you could tell your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
Donʼt worry so much, itʼll happen if you want it too.
Does the current political and social climate in the US affect your work?
I mean how can it not. Its a bizarre and outrageous time we are currently living in. Society is reaching a cliff, sooner or later weʼll have to jump, or learn to fly. Weʼll see what happens. Either way if you can allow the politics to influence your work and channel your rage it can be a powerful tool for invoking others to join in that feeling. Inspiring the world through artistic expression is a beautiful thing, it gives me purpose, at a time that itʼs difficult to have a purpose beyond superficial means.
What do you do when you got time for yourself?
All the time I get for myself is usually spent writing. I started writing my first feature film in 2009. Although I havenʼt sold or shot anything that Iʼve written, I havenʼt let that influence my passion and drive for writing. Iʼm working on 4 different scripts currently, each are completely different from one another, but Iʼm connected them all into their own universe, where they can intertwine and exist together. I hope to one day share them with everyone and allow people to get lost in these worlds that Iʼve created.
Do you consider yourself more naughty or nice?
Iʼm definitely more naughty than nice.
Please finish the sentences:
Deeply in love with … my dog fox.
The best way to sleep is … on your back with a silk pillow case, as to avoid future wrinkles.
My dream is … Slowly coming into fruition, it just takes the will to push forward.
Photography by Josh Paul Thomas @popejoshpaulthomas
Prints and Original works available for purchase at Joshpaulthomas.com
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