CHRIS FOSTER
IN THE ARTIST'S WORDS
My art is an exploration of process and my subconscious. Oftentimes rediscovering images of places I've been or things I've seen and felt only in dreams. The process of my work is very important to me and it is very intuitive and instinctual. I experiment with different mediums frequently. I embrace new direction and change. The adventures of a new alchemy and the nature of something is always an inspiration to me. The way I feel in my body is important to my work and really dictates the emotional choices of my palette and texture.
My forms of expression begin to take on their own life using me as a vessel. It is a physical language of emotion on the inside that words cannot express. It's always very interesting to me when the image that begins to come to fruition is somehow familiar like a vague memory or feeling of the past.
My mental illness and my art are not mutually exclusive; both are a driving force for me every day. I connect with my pieces as if we had grown together through incredible odds. I am inspired by the ups and downs and it's what keeps me moving forward every day and trying new things.
Making the art is what benefits my life and feeds my soul. Embracing the unpredictable nature of the material I am working with. Allowing the work to change and take on its own life is what I live for. It's almost very zen in a way, like tapping into a bigger part of your own personal understanding. It seems the more you practice living in the moment the better you get at loving yourself and instead of "mistakes" it becomes a new direction and your capacity for wisdom grows.
My forms of expression begin to take on their own life using me as a vessel. It is a physical language of emotion on the inside that words cannot express. It's always very interesting to me when the image that begins to come to fruition is somehow familiar like a vague memory or feeling of the past.
My mental illness and my art are not mutually exclusive; both are a driving force for me every day. I connect with my pieces as if we had grown together through incredible odds. I am inspired by the ups and downs and it's what keeps me moving forward every day and trying new things.
Making the art is what benefits my life and feeds my soul. Embracing the unpredictable nature of the material I am working with. Allowing the work to change and take on its own life is what I live for. It's almost very zen in a way, like tapping into a bigger part of your own personal understanding. It seems the more you practice living in the moment the better you get at loving yourself and instead of "mistakes" it becomes a new direction and your capacity for wisdom grows.
ABOUT CHRIS
Chris Foster painted during most of his childhood. His love of art took on various forms of expression throughout his life. In his teenage and young adult years he pursued music, film, and cooking. Originally from the bay area Chris spent eleven years in New York prior to moving to Portland where he rediscovered his love of painting.
He is self-taught and has experimented with many mediums from oil, pastels, acrylic, ink, and encaustic. His latest encaustic work combines many of the techniques he has developed from working with the other mediums.
Chris currently lives in Bellingham, WA with his girlfriend who is an illustrator. When not creating art, they enjoy exploring the outdoors.
Artist's Website: www.chrisfosterart.com
He is self-taught and has experimented with many mediums from oil, pastels, acrylic, ink, and encaustic. His latest encaustic work combines many of the techniques he has developed from working with the other mediums.
Chris currently lives in Bellingham, WA with his girlfriend who is an illustrator. When not creating art, they enjoy exploring the outdoors.
Artist's Website: www.chrisfosterart.com