meet our Interview guest
TARYN FOSTER
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Taryn Foster is a self-taught mixed media resin artist based in Southern California. Through fluid expression, she endeavors to move you beyond the surface pulling you into a visual journey of awe and wonder. Her creative process is very heart centered and spiritually fueled by her love of our Creator and His creation, especially the ocean. Through emotional responses, while listening to music, her paintings transpire becoming a fusion of land and sea.
The many layers she uses create movement and depth bringing about emotionally charged and symbolic works. An ebb and flow that calms your soul and feeds your spirit--much like the ocean does. Prior to relocating to California, Taryn spent years on the shorelines of Florida and knows firsthand the healing effects of the sea. For her, visually portraying water represents life and the fine balance between emotional and spiritual, strength and vulnerability, chaos and peace. It is her hope that her paintings will stir your soul and be a portal to a place of tranquility, optimism and bliss that overflow into the deep recesses of the heart.
Instagram: @tarynfosterart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarynfosterart
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.tarynfosterart.com
The many layers she uses create movement and depth bringing about emotionally charged and symbolic works. An ebb and flow that calms your soul and feeds your spirit--much like the ocean does. Prior to relocating to California, Taryn spent years on the shorelines of Florida and knows firsthand the healing effects of the sea. For her, visually portraying water represents life and the fine balance between emotional and spiritual, strength and vulnerability, chaos and peace. It is her hope that her paintings will stir your soul and be a portal to a place of tranquility, optimism and bliss that overflow into the deep recesses of the heart.
Instagram: @tarynfosterart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarynfosterart
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.tarynfosterart.com
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I was totally a late bloomer in life. I had no idea about creative gifts.
As a child, I used to love to draw and paint. Art and drama were my favorite classes through school. I chose to focus more on acting and in my late teens I completely stopped drawing and painting, and poured myself into drama. I took all kinds of classes, did theatre, did the auditioning rounds, etc. It was not the most spiritually fruitful road for me to be on. Then in my late 20’s I got married, had children and priorities changed because your children are way more important.
I felt I was always trying to find that something that would fulfill me. There was a lot of wandering years and being lost. It wasn’t until I was 40 that I even went back to church, and even then it wasn’t for me. It was for my children, because I knew that the foundation I was brought up with was ultimately what saved me from darkness. There was God’s voice on my shoulder or in my head that kept me from falling into a rabbit hole, if you know what I mean. I didn’t want my boys to fall into the hole, so that was really the only reason I went back. But God had other plans, as He always does, and He found me. He waited patiently through my rejection and all my bad choices. I was 45 when I started night school at UCLA extension for landscape architecture and graduated when I 48. Even though I had a family and now a career, I still felt something wasn’t right. Deep down in my soul, something was still missing. I still didn’t know who I was.
It wasn’t until I was 50 years old that I decided to paint again, and I think it was about another year after that when I began to feel I was being called to do this. When my soul felt at peace from painting I knew that was my creative gift. It was not a fast call, it’s been a slow process of learning to listen to what He’s directing and the final realization of who I am—I am the Creator’s daughter and that is huge! It’s funny that what God was pointing me to as a child I pushed away and ultimately getting back to it is what has brought me the most peace. It amazes me that when we are going the wrong direction, God already has a plan laid out to lead us back to Him. His timing is perfect so even though I’m a late bloomer in my eyes, I was right on time with God.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Absolutely not, but I think I’ve finally learned that nothing is impossible with God. He will always go beyond our expectations.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
For me, God needs to be encountered at all times in order to be there when I’m creating. One of my favorite verses is the Passion translation of Psalm 5:3 that says, “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.” In other words, every day I lay out my request to God and wait with expectation for what He does. I go to His Word daily and read and study. I also have affirmations, verses and quotes on post-it notes in my studio. Worship music is always on when I paint. I have out loud conversations with God
I was totally a late bloomer in life. I had no idea about creative gifts.
As a child, I used to love to draw and paint. Art and drama were my favorite classes through school. I chose to focus more on acting and in my late teens I completely stopped drawing and painting, and poured myself into drama. I took all kinds of classes, did theatre, did the auditioning rounds, etc. It was not the most spiritually fruitful road for me to be on. Then in my late 20’s I got married, had children and priorities changed because your children are way more important.
I felt I was always trying to find that something that would fulfill me. There was a lot of wandering years and being lost. It wasn’t until I was 40 that I even went back to church, and even then it wasn’t for me. It was for my children, because I knew that the foundation I was brought up with was ultimately what saved me from darkness. There was God’s voice on my shoulder or in my head that kept me from falling into a rabbit hole, if you know what I mean. I didn’t want my boys to fall into the hole, so that was really the only reason I went back. But God had other plans, as He always does, and He found me. He waited patiently through my rejection and all my bad choices. I was 45 when I started night school at UCLA extension for landscape architecture and graduated when I 48. Even though I had a family and now a career, I still felt something wasn’t right. Deep down in my soul, something was still missing. I still didn’t know who I was.
It wasn’t until I was 50 years old that I decided to paint again, and I think it was about another year after that when I began to feel I was being called to do this. When my soul felt at peace from painting I knew that was my creative gift. It was not a fast call, it’s been a slow process of learning to listen to what He’s directing and the final realization of who I am—I am the Creator’s daughter and that is huge! It’s funny that what God was pointing me to as a child I pushed away and ultimately getting back to it is what has brought me the most peace. It amazes me that when we are going the wrong direction, God already has a plan laid out to lead us back to Him. His timing is perfect so even though I’m a late bloomer in my eyes, I was right on time with God.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Absolutely not, but I think I’ve finally learned that nothing is impossible with God. He will always go beyond our expectations.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
For me, God needs to be encountered at all times in order to be there when I’m creating. One of my favorite verses is the Passion translation of Psalm 5:3 that says, “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.” In other words, every day I lay out my request to God and wait with expectation for what He does. I go to His Word daily and read and study. I also have affirmations, verses and quotes on post-it notes in my studio. Worship music is always on when I paint. I have out loud conversations with God
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
My creativity doesn’t just reflect me, but it reflects who God is and what He has created. In that sense, I’m obsessed with portraying water because it’s the essence of life. I love working with resin and the fluid expression it brings. I’m a very intuitive artist and most times I never plan out what I’m going to do.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I like writing and I guess, at times, they come together on a social media post. There are some posts that I feel God just gives me what to say and I love when I get an affirmation from someone that has read it, either by DM or a comment. I also play around on the piano. I wouldn’t say I’m exactly good at it, but I wish I were.
Are others in your family creative too?
My father was an actor, musician, writer and singer. My son plays piano and bass. My husband builds sets for film.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I definitely don’t feel there is a recipe or step by step instruction here on what’s He’s calling me to do. I think He just calls me to keep stepping out in faith in different ways—that can be having better patience for new pieces, trying something new, encouraging or helping other artists, and being authentic.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Definitely have a space allocated just for you. My home studio is like my prayer closet. I go there to be with God and I go there to paint—no outside distraction, and, allow myself to dream and create without critiquing. Don’t rush or force things. Sometimes I spend a good hour just listening to worship music preparing my mind.
The best way I know to learn is by jumping in and doing it. When you get stuck find another creative that’s successful and ask their advice. I’ve messaged a successful artist that I follow on Instagram asking questions or advice and for the most part, I find other artists to be very supportive.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I always look to God’s Word for words of wisdom because He is much wiser than me so a verse I always refer to is Proverbs 16:9. As humans, we always try to plan our course. We have a list of goals and stepping stones and to do’s, BUT GOD establishes our steps. His plan will be so much better than what you have imagined.
What has helped me on my journey is not looking and obsessing over social media numbers. Don’t compare yourself or your art to others and stay true to who you are and be authentic. Mostly remember you’re a child of the greatest Creator! You’ve got His DNA and if He’s called you to create He will equip you. Trust the process.
My creativity doesn’t just reflect me, but it reflects who God is and what He has created. In that sense, I’m obsessed with portraying water because it’s the essence of life. I love working with resin and the fluid expression it brings. I’m a very intuitive artist and most times I never plan out what I’m going to do.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I like writing and I guess, at times, they come together on a social media post. There are some posts that I feel God just gives me what to say and I love when I get an affirmation from someone that has read it, either by DM or a comment. I also play around on the piano. I wouldn’t say I’m exactly good at it, but I wish I were.
Are others in your family creative too?
My father was an actor, musician, writer and singer. My son plays piano and bass. My husband builds sets for film.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I definitely don’t feel there is a recipe or step by step instruction here on what’s He’s calling me to do. I think He just calls me to keep stepping out in faith in different ways—that can be having better patience for new pieces, trying something new, encouraging or helping other artists, and being authentic.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Definitely have a space allocated just for you. My home studio is like my prayer closet. I go there to be with God and I go there to paint—no outside distraction, and, allow myself to dream and create without critiquing. Don’t rush or force things. Sometimes I spend a good hour just listening to worship music preparing my mind.
The best way I know to learn is by jumping in and doing it. When you get stuck find another creative that’s successful and ask their advice. I’ve messaged a successful artist that I follow on Instagram asking questions or advice and for the most part, I find other artists to be very supportive.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I always look to God’s Word for words of wisdom because He is much wiser than me so a verse I always refer to is Proverbs 16:9. As humans, we always try to plan our course. We have a list of goals and stepping stones and to do’s, BUT GOD establishes our steps. His plan will be so much better than what you have imagined.
What has helped me on my journey is not looking and obsessing over social media numbers. Don’t compare yourself or your art to others and stay true to who you are and be authentic. Mostly remember you’re a child of the greatest Creator! You’ve got His DNA and if He’s called you to create He will equip you. Trust the process.