September Facebook Featured Artist: Christina Foard

If you’ve been reading Artsy Forager long, you’ve seen me gush about the work of this month’s Facebook Featured Artist, Christina Foard.  Christina is an artist whose work is as much about her mental and spiritual journey of creating as it is about the physical result of paint on canvas.

Urban Falling, oil on board, 36×34

Each canvas is a labor of intense devotion, worked and reworked until the artist is satisfied with her destination.

Lovers Behind the Wall, oil on canvas, 24×24

Grey Land, oil on canvas, 24×24

As she works the canvas, adding layer upon layer or excavating what lies beneath, the resulting textures become a large part of the story, until the composition she is longing for emerges.

Pink Wall Two, oil on canvas, 40×30

To see more of Christina Foard’s work, please visit her website and be sure to check out her album on the Artsy Forager Facebook page!  If you’re near the Jacksonville, FL area, you can still catch Christina’s show with July Featured Artist Thomas Hager at the Jacksonville International Airport, but only until the end of September.  She’s currently working on a special long-term collaborative project I hope to share with you once she’s ready.  Stay tuned.

All images are via the artist’s website.

Say Hello to our New Facebook Featured Artist!

Happy September, Artsies!  I’m so excited to bring you this month’s new Facebook Featured Artist.  Not only is she one of my favorite artists EVER, but one of my favorite people in the world.  Be sure to head on over to the Artsy Forager Facebook page to see the beautiful new cover image by Florida artist Christina Foard!

Flow by Christina Foard, oil and acrylic on canvas, 96×66

Stay tuned throughout the month of September for more from the fabulous Ms. Foard!

Artist Takeover, Day 4: Christina Foard

It’s Day 4 of the Artist Takeover and today Artsy Forager is being taken over by two of my favorite artists from my hometown. First up is Jacksonville artist and friend, Christina Foard. Christina and I first met back in Jacksonville and she has become a dear friend and wonderfully supportive and encouraging ear. And hopefully, she’s always able to count on me for the same.   True to her nature, her questions were thoughtful and insightful.

Urban Leak, acrylic and oil on canvas, 109×66

Christina Foard | My first question is possibly a bit broad, but something makes me think it’s a cornerstone for you, and may have application for all of us in any field. What are your beliefs about generosity – you know, giving without a foreseeable or tangible return on investment? What role does it play in your strategic plan for your future as an arts advocate/blogger?

Artsy Forager | I purposefully don’t talk much about my spiritual beliefs on the blog.  I would never want anyone to be put off by spiritual talk.  But your question brings it forward, so I’ll lay it out there.  I am a Christian.  I believe in God & the salvation of Christ.  A cornerstone of my faith is a belief in service to others.  My husband and I both try to practice giving freely of ourselves and our resources.  We believe in the joy of giving.

Through Artsy Forager, I’m able to give of my time and resources to help people whose talent I believe in.  Right now, I receive no financial benefit from Artsy Forager.  What it is giving back to me is a sense of purpose and a knowledge that I am doing my part to help someone else.  My strategic plan for the future is pretty fluid at the moment– I have ideas and short-term goals for broadening my audience and scope of services through the blog, but I also want to be open to whatever comes my way.  I want to be able to help artists in a tangible way– I’ve found that is where I receive the greatest satisfaction!  In the short term, that may be achieved through the blog and through doing the type of art consulting/project management I’m already familiar with.  I’m not sure what will happen long term, but I would love to be able to incorporate charitable giving into my long term business plan, once I figure out what that is. 😉

Guggenheim

CF | Are there characteristics that you think many/most artists share? Are there commonalities in their approach, energy, psychological make-up that you’ve experienced?

AF | I’ve been so fortunate to be able to meet and befriend some spectacularly talented artists and incredible people.  Every artist is different, but I’ve found that many of the artists with whom I’ve developed relationships do share some characteristics–

Many of the most talented artists I’ve come across are incredibly humble, they are often open to all types of inspiration and stimulation, whether it be through other visual artwork, music, literature or other creative talk.  They see the world through a broader lens, often much more open than others may be to differing points of view.  I love the way so many artists support and encourage each other.  The arts are a business but one that I personally think is enhanced by cooperation, not competition.

Bouchon

CF | You’ve been roaming nomadically for a while, clearly devoted and adoring your husband all the while, what do you think are the most exciting art markets amongst the cities you’ve gotten to know? What makes them vibrant in your opinion?

AF | Oh what a fun question!!  My husband George & I feel so fortunate to be living this unique nomadic lifestyle.  It has opened our eyes to so many places we may not have discovered otherwise.  Here are a few of my favorite artsy spots I’ve found so far–

Seattle, WA— I may be a bit biased toward Seattle, as it was where George & I truly fell in love, so I see the city through love-colored glasses!  That being said, the artistic energy in Seattle is phenomenal and the quality of the work being done there is, in my opinion, among the best in the world.  For a large city, the sense of community and camaraderie among the artists in Seattle is amazing.  Every time George is up for a new assignment, I hope and cross my fingers for Seattle.  I would love to be there for a while to really immerse myself in the art community and just soak it all in.

Portland, OR— Another obvious one. 😉  I’m not as familiar with Portland as I am with Seattle, having only visited on a few day trips last summer but the art scene there is comparable.  The arts in Portland seem a bit more laid back than Seattle.. almost like Portland is Seattle’s younger sibling.. I think it is still coming into its own.  It’s truly becoming a creative destination for all kinds of art, which I find really exciting.  It’s another city I would love to live in for a while and get to know better.

Astoria, OR— When we moved to our first Northwest assignment in Aberdeen, WA last summer, I was desperate for some cultural stimulation ( not currently to be had in Aberdeen, but we have hope for that little town ).  We took a day trip to Astoria one Saturday and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the galleries there.  Many small Northwest towns have thriving art scenes, but the focus is usually on Western/Native American art– which is great, but not my cup of tea.  Astoria has a fantastic photography gallery, Lightbox Gallery , a large multi-discipline contemporary gallery, RiverSea Contemporary  as well as a fun, more cutting edge space, Lunar Boy Gallery and others.  An artwalk, shops, bookstores, etc., make Astoria a great little artsy town.  If only it didn’t get almost 200 days of rain a year..

Jacksonville, FL— Of course, I had to include my hometown!  The resilience of the artists and art community in Jacksonville continues to amaze me.  The economic downturn hit the art market hard in Jacksonville, resulting in a lot of gallery closings, but it is so encouraging to watch artists and arts supporters finding new ways to rebuild.  I’m afraid they are often running up against bureaucratic opposition and conservative political silliness but yet they keep fighting.  And I’m cheering them on from afar.  I’m looking forward to being back for a visit later in the year and seeing first hand exciting new ventures like Florida Mining and CoRK Studios.

Ashland, OR— This small town in Southern Oregon has a really booming and exciting art scene.  Being a tourist destination known for its outdoor Shakespeare Festival, Ashland was a favorite spot while we were living in Southern Oregon.  We have a good friend moving to the area and are looking forward to visiting again.  I’ve discovered some really fabulous artists through Ashland galleries.  It’s a liberal town in the midst of a very conservative area, which makes it kind of a mecca for culture in the southern part of the state.

Port Townsend, WA— Another small town that completely charmed me.  It’s proximity to Seattle ( a ferry-ride away ) and touristy appeal gives this little town great potential for its art market.  I don’t think it is quite where it could be yet, but I see it moving forward toward becoming an arts destination.  Port Townsend is one of those towns where I immediately wanted to open a gallery. 😉

There are a few places we haven’t made it to yet, but I am anxious to see what their art communities have to offer– San Francisco, Los Angeles ( I’m seeing some really incredible art coming out of LA ), Santa Fe, New Orleans, Chicago, just to name a few.  And perhaps it’s my proximity to Canada these days, but we have some really talented neighbors to the north.. it almost tempts me to talk George into changing our citizenship!

Summer Rain, oil on canvas, 48×60

CF | How can artists help your business grow?

AF | Right now, the biggest way artists can help is to share the Artsy Forager page with friends, help me get the word out with social media, etc.  When you share a quote, status, post, etc., you’re helping AF reach a wider audience.  There are web tools that estimate your potential social media reach and it really is incredible to think about.  It reminds me of that old shampoo commercial, “then she tells 2 friends and they tell 2 friends and so on..“.. wow, I just really dated myself!  In sharing, you’re not just helping AF but every artist that is featured.

Keep me updated with new work, shows, etc.  It would be very time consuming for me to periodically check for new work on each artist’s site. I love it when an artist emails me to let me know of an upcoming show or new work just posted to their site.  It helps keep you & your work on my mind, which in turn, usually prompts me to post about it on the blog or social media.  Win-win for both of us!

I am always open to new ideas and dialogues, too.  This interview process idea came from artist Christina Baker and I was thrilled with all the artists’ enthusiasm!  I would really love to have artists even more involved with the website.

Flow

To see more of Christina’s work, please visit her website.  Stay tuned this afternoon for Steve Williams’ takeover!

All images are via the artist’s website.

Friday Faves: Climb Every Mountain

A huge part of what drew George & I to the Northwest was the mountainous terrain.  When the weather is good, every weekend is spent hiking and exploring the mountains around wherever we happen to be.  We’re gearing up for the ultimate mountain adventure this June, when we’ll take some time off to camp and explore Glacier National Park, the Tetons and Yellowstone.  So it’s only natural that I’ve got mountains on the brain these days.  Hope you enjoy these artist’s takes on the peak life!

Kate Shaw

Peace and Love by Casey Roberts, cyanotype with gouache, 60×69

Colorado Electricity by Christina Foard, oil on canvas, 36×36

Pile of Nipples by Marian Brunn Smith, oil on canvas, 24×18

One After Another, mixed media on panel, 30×24

Kate Shaw | Casey Roberts | Christina Foard | Marian Brunn Smith | Liz Tran 

What say you, Artsies?  Any mountainous adventures on the horizon?

Featured image is Magic Hour by Kate Shaw.  All images are via the artist’s websites, linked above.

Friday Faves: With Tangerine Trees and Marmalade Skies

Each year, Pantone announces its “Color of the Year”.  The color authority combs the world looking for influential color and its Color of the Year proclamation affects design decisions in fashion, interiors, products, packaging, you name it.  This year’s color is a bold and vibrant reddish-orange, Tangerine Tango.  Artists, always ahead of the curve, have been embracing orange for quite some time.  I know it’s always been one of my own favorite hues.  Take a peek at some of these lovely examples of tangerine dreams!

Orange Ocean Edge by Christina Foard

An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds by Luke Stephenson

Spring Flowers by Susan Melrath

Clickety Clack by Pamela Viola

Without You by Margaret Glew

Any orangey hued works you’re loving lately?  Would love to hear about them!  Have a great weekend, Artsies, and if you’re snowed in and in need of some warming, check out today’s featured artists’ websites!

1.  Christina Foard 

2.  Luke Stephenson 

3.  Susan Melrath 

4.  Pamela Viola 

5.  Margaret Glew 

All images are via the artists’ websites, noted above.

Artsy on Escape Into Life: Christina Foard

Happy Tuesday, Artsies!  Make sure you check out my post today over at Escape Into Life, featuring artist Christina Foard.

Colorado Trees in Snow by Christina Foard

Now I know I’m probably not supposed to play favorites, but I can’t help it.  Christina is definitely a fave!  Check her out on EIL today!

Christina Foard on Escape Into Life

[ Insert Art Here ]: Art For Every Pocketbook

I am a firm believer in buying art at whatever level you can afford and I’m not talking about the framed art aisle at Target.  While there are certain levels of art collecting which some of us may never reach ( I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I’ll never own an original Georgia O’Keeffe, just keepin’ it real ), there is fabulous art available for every budget!  Just because your budget is limited, that’s no excuse for blank walls!  For this installment of [ Insert Art Here ], we’ll take a look at 3 art options for the same space– all fab, each fitting a particular budget level.  Here we go!

Let’s begin with our blank( ish ) canvas–

From http://www.nestdallasdesign.com, home of Bradley Agather, designed by Beth Dotolo, photo by Kevin Dotolo ( artwork removed, to see the original design, click on this photo )

For the Beginning Collector:

Artwork by Ann Tarantino via 20x200

Prints are the easiest and most budget friendly way to begin an art collection and these days there is no shortage of sources for quality limited editions.  These Ann Tarantino prints ( Far and Wide [ left ] and Flying Colors [ right ] ) are archival pigment prints, $200 each ( not including framing ) and are available through 20×200.  Pretty sweet, right?

For the Mid-Range Artsy:

Artwork by Michelle Armas

So you’re ready to put your money where your mouth is and begin a serious art collection?  Original work by emerging artists is a great place to start.  Atlanta artist Michelle Armas has become something of an art & design blog darling and with that comes a certain ( well deserved! ) notoriety which makes her work highly collectible.  Her abstract paintings are riotous and painterly, filled with joyous color.  The piece above, Eggplant is an acrylic work on canvas, 30×40 inches.  It is available through Gregg Irby Fine Art at $1000.  An awesome price for a piece of that size and quality!  Forego your daily $4 chai-mocha-frappawhatever from Starbucks and you will be able to purchase a piece like this, too.  It’s all about priorities, ya’ll. 🙂

For the Serious Artophile:

Artwork by Christina Foard

Christina Foard is a painter’s painter.  She paints intuitively and revels in the materials, not afraid to get her hands dirty.  There is an emotionality to her work that, along with its glorious physical texture, provides a depth that you don’t always find in abstract compositions.  The piece above, Floating Invasion ( acrylic on canvas, 40×30 ) provides this space with a certain amount of gravitas, while still giving just the right amount of color and movement.  But Foard’s works are pieces you buy because you can’t stop thinking about them.. you have to have them.. If they happen to match your throw pillows, well, that’s just a bonus.  ( FYI– Floating Invasion is no longer available, but Foard pieces in a similar size are usually in the $3000 range )

My final word.. as Dan Fear said “Buy art because you like it and because it moves you, and because it enhances your life.”  This has been a little exercise that I hope will inspire you to purchase a piece of art that you love this year.   Now that’s a new years’ resolution I can get behind!

Cult Of ( Fashion )Personality: A Conversation With Christina Foard

Jacksonville artist Christina Foard has been developing a series of paintings, “Dresses”, which explore the connection between what we wear, our personality, our past, present and future.  Here, Christina talks candidly about this series and what she sees as the psychology behind our fashion choices.

AF:  Hi Christina!  Thank you so much for taking the time for this little interview.  You know how much I love your work.  I am completely enamored with your dress series and am so excited you have been creating some new pieces! How did this series begin and how has it evolved?

C:     I’ve been working on dresses since 2008. It began with self-portraits where I am wearing gowns painted with mapped areas or terrain I’ve covered. Mapped gowns was a personification and extension of aerial landscapes that I had begun a year prior.  (Ballerina Dance, The Written Legacy, Fluid Gown ( below ), The Courtesan, A Life-changing Conversation, A Single Mom’s Playground, Picnic of Adulthood are some of these.) Since it was more about the journey, decisions and influences, I eventually removed the figure altogether. I began to place myself in and amongst other women, each of us represented symbolically as a dress.  In these, I paint the way someone feels to me. It’s more about vitality and energy than their physical presence…a little like painting a pattern of the music they emanate and comparing those rhythmic differences in a series. ( “Pajama Party” ( below ), “Three Sisters”, “Five Friends” ). For example, a 90 year old woman with a saucy, adventuresome personality might end up with the most flamboyant and lively dress, which looks more suitable for a 20 year old.

Recently, in “Polka Dot Party” ( below ) and a few others, my focus area shifted from observing others to a discussion of how I choose to present myself to the world around me each day. Again, choices, decisions and influences.

Liquid Gown, oil on canvas, 60×48

The Pajama Party, oil on canvas, 36×60

AF:   Tell me about what you see as the psychology around fashion and the garments we choose to clothe ourselves in.

C:      When we are shopping for clothes, we pass up most items available. We reject all the items which don’t fit our perception of ourselves or our perception of our bodies. These rejections are as telling as what we eventually choose to buy. We essentially have to contend with the roles we play in our relationships as well as physical issues that dictate attire: seasons, terrain and climate. Specifically for women whose options vary greatly, our choices can openly display themes of femininity: sexuality, power, accessibility, creativity, compassion, social status, affluence, self-respect. Because our attire speaks so loudly about who we are and who we aren’t, we also deal with influence and who we hope to engage with on a given day. How accessible do I want to make myself today? How much do I want to reveal? How much do I want to conceal? Do I want to lead or do I want to be one of the masses? Do I want to bring attention to myself? These aren’t conscious questions we ask ourselves necessarily; yet they sit below the surface. 

           Behavior and language is affected by dress. From my personal experience I’ve noticed that I’m more expressive and creative when I wear a long scarf; more formal, precise, and attentive wearing a suit jacket; more nurturing and tactile in a long flowing dress. I notice my energy, tone, and carriage alters depending on the femininity of my fabrics, the structural formality of a garment, the heel height of my shoes, the accessories I’ve chosen. My language and sentence structures change, my accessibility to others is affected. The emotional, physical, and psychological components are intertwined. This, I find fascinating.

Orange Scarf, oil on canvas, 29×42

AF:  I’ve noticed a few of your latest works in this series are named after women.  Are these “portraits” of specific women?

C:     Yes, they are. It is part of a social “inspiration” project that I began in 2009 and will be complete in the next several months. It is comprised of 6 individual paintings around 40″ and one larger 10′ painting. It is entitled Accidental Mentors Project and I’ll be sure to let you know all about it when fully complete. 

Cindy: Structural Integrity

AF:  I can’t wait to see the completed series!  Do you have a favorite article of clothing?  What makes it special and what does it say about you, as a woman, as an artist or as a mother?

C:     I found this question challenging, if you can believe it. I decided on one long skirt I’ve had for about 6 years. It has a conservative pattern on a somewhat sheer fabric, yet a Latin-inspired construction. Every time I wear it, it makes me feel like dancing and I couldn’t feel more feminine or more perfectly my age in it. Because of how it makes me feel, I’ve also had some great memories attached to it. That adds a sentimental component.

Decisions, mixed media on canvas, 36×60

AF:    Finally, just for fun.. What are you wearing? 😉

C:       Pink racer-back NIKE T-shirt, navy blue Adidas cropped workout pants and my favorite socks – my running shoes yet to be put on. Plus, a little locket with my kids’ tiny toddler faces inside. The combination seems perfect at this quiet, early morning moment before the sun has arrived.

A huge thank you to Christina for sharing her work and insights.  To see more of this talented artist’s work, please visit her website.

Featured image is Christina in her downtown Jacksonville studio.  All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.

Artist Diggs: Foard Above

Please note that unfortunately, Christina is no longer in this studio.  She is actively created from her home studio– but I loved this insight into her creative world.

Christina Foard is above the clouds– literally and figuratively.  Her new studio space sits high above downtown Jacksonville in the AT&T building.  How could she not be over the moon? This is her view, ya’ll!

Despite the breathtaking view or perhaps, in part, because of it, Christina admits her new studio was a bit overwhelming when she first moved in.   An empty office space, originally intended for row upon row of cubicles, proved challenging to figure out how to best utilize as an art studio.  But a huge advantage to so much space?  Christina has room to breath and room to create.

Ditto goes for her three kids, who are often at the studio with her, sometimes for hours on end.  There is plenty of room for them to run around, even skateboard(!) throughout the studio and Christina has set up a “living room” so that she and the kids have a place to relax while she’s in the studio.

There is also room for Christina, the artist, to “play”.  When stuck for direction or just needing to get some creative juices flowing, she can plop herself down on the floor and play with paint and paper or stand over it and do some “Pollock-style” action painting.  If that won’t get your painting mojo working, nothing will.

Christina’s work is autobiographical– each piece is about a particular time, place, person or memory and is often used as a kind of catharsis, a way of working through a particular memory and replacing what may have been a negative with a positive.   Though a lot of her work is technically representational ( centered around recognizable objects ), it is also highly symbolic.  Circles and ribbons have begun popping up in Christina’s work lately, often symbolizing the intrusion of a chaos of thought on a peaceful mind.

Just as her life is constantly changing and evolving, so too, is Christina’s work.  For this artist, it is more about the process of creating than a finished “marketable” product.  ( Though people do respond to her work and it sells quite well ).  The paintings she creates aren’t necessarily “precious”, she will often go back and not just tweak but completely rework a piece so that it hardly resembles its former self.

The pieces pictured below, for instance, are works in progress.. they may not exist as you see them a week from now.

This new space is allowing Christina to grow as an artist like never before.  She is filled with ideas and there are stacks of new canvases just waiting for paint.

The new studio is also giving her a chance to venture into collage and sculpture.  She has wiped her slate clean of exhibitions and shows until early next year, to give herself time to rejuevenate, reinvigorate and explore where her art will take her.  I can’t wait to see where the journey leads!

You can see more of Christina’s work on her Pick of the Crop page here at Artsy Forager or drop by her website.

Friday Faves: The Aerialists

The world as seen from high above is such a simple, orderly place.  I still remember the first time I looked out an airplane window and saw the neatly composed patterns of farmland down below.  And the rows of surburban homes lined up like so many monopoly houses on cul-de-sacs.  The snaking lines of rivers and mountain ranges.

This Friday’s round-up is full of images from artists who also find inspiration in the what can be seen from the sky.  Hope you enjoy the view!

The Cummer Museum by Christina Foard

Spring Fields Farmland by Wm. Coleman Mills

Aerial View by Sally King Benedict

Portage Bay by Suzanne DeCuir

1.  Christina Foard ( featured image is CSX Storage by Christina Foard )

2.  Wm. Coleman Mills

3.  Sally King Benedict

4.  Suzanne DeCuir

All images are courtesy of the artist’s websites.