Jaime Foster: The Art of Ecopsychology and Biodiversity
Inspired by the intricate patterns in nature, Jaime Foster’s paintings reflect the mystery and alchemy that one finds when wandering through a wooded forest. In this interview, Jaime shares her journey and creative process with us.
How did your creative journey begin?
I knew I wanted to be an artist ever since I can remember. I would sit at the kitchen table for hours and draw, even construct things out of available materials. When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I was gifted my first art easel. I wrote my brother a letter and told him that I could no longer care for our family dog because I needed to focus on my art, so he needed to step up, Lol. Ironically, I spend so much of my adult life taking care of, you guessed it… dogs.
After I graduated high school, I began becoming increasingly interested in photography. My friends and I created our very own camera clubs, and we would visit abandoned houses and farms. I was drawn to urban decay and the process of nature taking its course.
I started working as a freelance photographer for several local newspapers and started my own photography business a couple of years later. The company was highly successful, but I became burnt out after a few years of shooting weddings and portraits. I wanted to be far more creative than what most clients were looking for.
In 2007, my husband and I put the photography business on hold, sold our house, and moved to Seattle. Living in the Pacific Northwest was incredibly inspiring. Art was everywhere, and being surrounded by so much beauty was the charge I needed to dive into painting again.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I find a lot of inspiration in nature, particularly the natural design within nature itself. The shapes of leaves, the colors of flowers, the texture and intricate patterns in trees, the reflections on water, and the movement of birds in flight, to name a few examples. I have to be immersed in nature as much as I can; it’s a lifeline. I do a lot of forest walks in our local preserves, observing animals, bird watching, and looking for unusual shapes and designs. I visit galleries, museums and immerse myself in all things art when I’m not outdoors. I get a lot of motivation listening to other artists talk about their process. I’m often listening to Danielle Krysa’s podcast ‘Art for Your Ear’ as well as Ekaterina Popova’s ‘Create’.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
My color palette has gone from subtle pastels and monochromatic to brighter color schemes. My work was far busier and more detailed, whereas now, I’m learning to pull back and let my pieces breathe. I felt like in the past, I almost always overworked my paintings. Sometimes I still do, but I’ve gotten much better at stepping back, studying the composition, and returning to work when I have a clearer view of what I will do next. I also start a piece with a shape, composition, or color palette in mind; This gives me a better foundation to work from. Otherwise, I’d paint in circles and over what I began laying down.
I have my own pet sitting business, which has turned into this wonderful way to create, travel, and constantly surround myself with animals. I have clients who fly me out to watch their homes and care for their dogs throughout the country. It’s pretty special. I travel to Denver about twice a year on average, also L.A., Austin, Palm Beach, etc. Because I’m constantly on the go, I have been working on paper regularly over the past few years. I’m missing painting on wood and canvas, so I’m focusing on working on larger pieces when home.
I have also acquired a few tools and experimented with clay and apoxie on wood. I have created three-dimensional works in the past, primarily with paper. However, my latest commissions I recently finished were on wood panels, and I had a blast carving into them and incorporating clay. This has motivated me to move more in this direction.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
My husband and I are pretty lucky to live on the property of our art collectors. We’re tucked away, on 3 acres, in a wooded setting, with enough privacy and capacity to create as we like. Yes, it’s as inspiring and beautiful as it sounds! A typical day will start with hanging out on the back patio with our boys- two rescue dogs, Linus and Casper.
I'll feed the birds and squirrels, which we comically named after all the dwarfs from “The Hobbit”. My studio time begins with music, if not psychedelic, then usually one of my favorite bands, either “The National” or “IDLES.” Sometimes, I will have images on my phone to look at as an innovative platform to jump off from. As an abstract artist, I never really start a painting with a clear intent of what I’m going to paint. However, in recent years, I have introduced shapes or compositions in my mind when starting my creative process. It is all very free-flowing and meditative.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
My husband and I always wanted to move out west, and in 2007, we put the photography business on pause, sold our house, and moved to Seattle. Living in the Pacific Northwest was incredibly inspiring. Being so close to mountains and the ocean was the charge I needed to start painting again.
Moving out of Seattle and into the Olympic Peninsula was a turning point for me; it was as if a magic wand were waved, and I was under a spell, and creativity poured out of me. We rented a vacation cottage with a little art studio attached, and I would paint for hours each day. It was in that small space that I started developing my style.
I was always a nature and animal lover, but living amid such beauty provoked a sense of respect and wonder. I realized our connection with the natural world is vital and has become increasingly fragile.
How has social media impacted your art career?
I guess you can say that I'm a Facebook junkie. It was where I spent most of my social media time, connecting with friends and artists and building new relationships. Facebook has been a total game-changer for me above any other platform. It has allowed me to express my most authentic self and highlight my work to all my followers. I’ve sold many pieces and continue to do so. I am still building a following on Instagram; it’s much trickier now with the change to algorithms. The majority of people that I follow are artists. Instagram has become my go-to for a constant stream of visual inspiration.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I am always striving to learn and grow. It’s funny; after 12 years of painting and showing professionally, I finally feel like a ‘real’ artist. I’m sure many artists can relate to this. As far as goals, I would love a wider audience- to show my work in more museums and a few prestigious galleries would be excellent. I think my ultimate goal would be to do art full-time without worrying so much about finances.
Website: jaimefoster.com
Instagram: @jaimefosterart