We recently connected with David Foster and have shared our conversation below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

The things my parents did right were believing in my talent and creative abilities before I truly even realized I had creative abilities. I always liked to draw as most kids do, but my parents decided to push me towards my creative abilities. My parents were great at providing me with the tools I needed to be able to branch out and try different ways of creating.

I remember we would go to church every Sunday and I would be bored out of my mind as a 10 year old kid falling asleep like clock after 15 mins of the sermon starting. Without fail feeling a pinch or nudge to wake up in church from my parents. After so many Sundays of me barely being able to keep my eyes open, my parents decided to bring a sketch book and pencils for me. Now rather than my head becoming to heavy for my neck, I would be up drawing the pastor preach and the scenery of the church. This was just one of many ways that my parents reinforced my creative abilities and I didn’t truly recognize it as such.

My parents were so supportive of my craft that any time I needed new supplies they had no problem getting them for me. They would assign different projects for me to draw or paint especially when my other privilege’s were taken away. I wasn’t a bad kid but I would definitely say I could be devious or rebellious at times. During these times rather than giving me a whooping, or true punishment I had to go draw for two or three hours. This allowed me to develop my skills and direct my anger into art which has helped me pour different emotions into my current work now in a more purposeful manner.

I can say without a doubt if not for my parents I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. They helped to instill the idea that any and everything can be drawn, painted, etc. They also helped me to develop the idea that art should be celebrated rather than just being brushed off as unimportant or just a phase. They supported my after school art clubs, and drawing competitions that I was a part of at school. My parents developed my skills as far as they could and enrolled me into an art school that played a major role in my artistic talents and expertise today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am David Foster, creator and founder of DFosterArt LLC. Im an artist who creates a range of works with a focus on 2D drawing and painting. I specialize in charcoal. I also create custom tie dye and hand painted accessories such as fanny packs, dad hats, bucket hats, tie dye clothes, and jean jackets.

I have been an artist since I was a young child. My mother was an artist so a lot of my inspiration to create came from her. My sisters and I used to love going through her portfolio looking at drawings she had done for herself and others. She is an amazing artist who used to create these lovely paintings on velvet canvases.
My parents supported my creativity my entire life and still do today. Without my parents I definitely would not be the artist I am now.

My works are catered towards pop culture and reflect the black community within America. I paint and draw the culture that surrounds me and raised me. I love my people and take great pride in having the ability to frame us and give windows into our culture that only those who are apart of it can have a solid embodiment of the meanings and connections within the pieces. The art work I create will represent everything from celebrities such as Rihanna and Nipsey Hussle, to systemic racism and police brutality that has plagued America for years on end.

I am a commission artist as well and I find beauty and joy in being able to bring ideas, portraits of loved ones or anything else into fruition for clients. Although I don’t specialize in digital art, I am very capable and enjoy working digitally. I have completed many logos, cartoon mock ups and characters in digital formats that clients love. My favorite medium is charcoal but as of late majority of my art has been acrylic painting.

When it comes to my work in comparison to others, all of my work is based within blackness in one way or many ways. My work is all handmade and designed by me a black male artist. My work is built deeply upon the idea that our culture breathes life, and beauty into every atmosphere it is apart of. My work may change stylistically, or visually, but the underlying themes and ideas of blackness are always there through and through.

The skills I have gained over the years, and have been able to continuously acquire as time goes on has allowed me to build my toolbox of artistic ability furthering my personal and artistic growth. I love creating, and I plan to do it until air is no longer able to inflate my lungs. I will create til the day I die.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, I believe society can best support artists and creatives by purchasing and buying from local artists. Reach out to artist for the pieces you like to put in your homes, attend art shows and events throughout the year. Rather than buying from major brands and corporations support local creatives and small businesses.

Support via social media and word of mouth recommendations. Sharing art amongst peers, coworkers, mentors individuals and others is a great way to support artists and creatives. Respect the time and effort it requires creatives to bring pieces to life. All artist have put many hours into creating and developing the skills to be able to do what we do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to paint and draw literally anything. Seeing how happy my work makes others is amazing. Whether i’m creating logos for someones business, drawing loved ones, or painting inspirational messages I am blessed to be able to create for myself and others.

Art is a major part of my life and literally the entire world around us. All of the major wonders of the world have an element of art to them. Knowing that I am apart of a community that used art as one of its first means of communication is amazing. The most rewarding part overall is the ability to have such a huge impact on others while also creating impactful pieces for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: dfosterart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfosterart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DFosterArt/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfosterart