Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Foster.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
After completing a degree in Biological Illustration in late 1994 at the University of Florida I worked at a gallery in Coconut Grove in South Florida. In 1997, I came from Miami to Atlanta to attend classes at the Portfolio Center. I finished the Illustration Program there in 1999.
I then spent several years freelancing around town for agencies and party companies. At this point, it was time for a steadier income and schedule when I got married in 2003, Having spent my college summers as a camp counselor and later served as a substitute teacher I decided to become a public school art teacher for Fulton County Schools. Twenty years later, every day is still magical in the classroom teaching art to special education students of all ages. During this period, I maintained my freelance illustration career and began fine art painting. In my painting studio, I focus on both landscapes from my travels as well as abstract pieces.
Additionally, since 2020, I’ve been publishing three cartoons weekly on Instagram plus comic websites and now belong to the National Cartoonists Society. Having a career as an educator has given me time for my family and freedom as an artist. Moving forward, while teaching I plan to publish books of my cartoons and expand my painting practice as I complete several series.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am now has been circuitous. Selling art in a gallery at the start of my career was great for learning on the job about business skills and has been very useful in many situations. I learned so much later on from freelancing that helped guide my future career decisions. At some point, I got tired of deadlines and working all night to meet them. Becoming a teacher allowed me to say no to projects that I knew would be more effort than the pay.
Having a family and developing a career in art education also gave me the impetus to develop a greater body of work beyond completing art gigs for advertising. In the time that I’ve been in the field, there have been several waves of technology that are no longer in use and I’m glad I did not put all of my eggs into those baskets. Perhaps the greatest struggle has been to discover what I want to see develop out of myself as an artist. I feel that now the road has become bumpy again as I experiment in my painting studio, but it’s a fun bumpy so that’s cool!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My specialty as a freelancer has been as a humorous illustrator doing “cartoony stuff.” I’ve also been publishing online comics for a few years which is loads of fun. In contrast, my paintings cover landscapes and abstracts. I even did murals for a while. I enjoy putting these different skills to work because they are just facets of who I am artistically. Being a teacher has been part of the mix as well-often the subjects we cover in class become inspirations for my work.
Professionally speaking, I wish I had chosen to develop my personal “art voice” sooner instead of jumping through the hoops of getting freelance jobs. Even so, I’m grateful for the strong skills I earned from that journey such as time management, production efficiency, materials knowledge, and business savvy.
Perhaps what sets me apart from others is that I feel comfortable with all of these approaches and stages knowing that they are iterations of my artistic identity. I am proud that I’ve done a little of this and that as it were now the plan calls for my direction.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Probably the most important lesson from my journey has been “self-kindness.” Everything tends to be a struggle until one wakes up to change that paradigm. It involves cutting yourself some slack while still being keen on your goals. As a freelancer, I chased down jobs that were not always satisfying or even lucrative.
Getting a sense of where I wanted to go and letting myself laugh along the way has made all the difference. I lucked out by becoming an art teacher because I love seeing my students grow every day and this career supported my greater artistic development. That notion of “self-kindness” leads me to make choices that are good for myself and my family plus my creative happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://robfosterstudio.weebly.com/
- Instagram: @bonusdonutcomic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-foster-520a282/
