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Q: David, thank you for this interview. We are also excited to have you as
our featured poet in July. Tell us, how did you get started
as an artist and writer?
DJF: For my art, it was in Jr. High that I saw my older brother drawing copies of rock music
album art. I looked up to him and thought he was cool, so I tried it myself. Then I took
an art class in high school, really liked it, and was pretty good. After the class I basically
didn’t draw for 20 more years. In 2004 I went off like a bomb.
For my writing, it started in English and Philosophy classes. I wrote stories for English and
kept a journal in Philosophy class where I analyzed philosophers and tried to make up my own
philosophy. That inspired me to explore word association, creative structure and expression,
to push the limits of thought, and to reveal my internal self to the world. I wrote all kinds
of crazy stuff to try to impress the teacher. I thought the crazier the better.
Q: How do you keep your creative juices flowing?
DJF: I don’t even try. If I feel like creating, I create. If not, I don’t. At times I don’t feel
like painting or writing for months. I wonder if it has all gone away and if it will ever come back
to me. It’s about uncontrolled passion. I feel that if you force the art it’s not as pure. It becomes just
a job like any other. Might as well paint the stripes that are on the road.
Q: Do you have any projects you’d like to tell us about?
DJF: I produced the
Pasos Vineyards Fall Art Show again, in September, 2010. It featured all my new
art since my 2009 show. We had a huge outdoor movie screen presentation of my art from high school
till now. The weekend was great with live smooth jazz performances, food, wine, a special photography
exhibit, and more.
Q: What is something you wish other creative artists understood?
DJF: Don’t judge your art by its commercial success.
Q: What are some of the challenges and obstacles you faced during your career?
DJF: There have been numerous challenges and obstacles over the years. Every time I turned around I
faced a new challenge. I just remained determined. I always find innovative ways to accomplish what
I want.
One obstacle I had that many creative artists have, I couldn’t afford the high rent of commercial
buildings and I needed my own art gallery. I set out to find a place for my art and hoped
a winery would allow me to display a few paintings or paint when they were serving wine. Eventually, I
became friends with a winery owner and I convinced him to let me open a studio gallery in a loft above
his wine tasting room. In exchange for the space, I gave him graphic art, photography, some of my
original art. I also built and maintain the winery’s website. It is a beneficial
trade for each of us. We are able to help one another. Artists must be seriously determined to secure
what they want and need. Think outside the box to make things happen. Have creative thoughts, not only
toward your art. I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in my art career through hard work, passion, and
steadfast determination.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?
DJF: When people tell me they love what I’m doing. It is rewarding when my art and writing emotionally
moves and inspires people. At one of my spoken word events, a lady responded to my poetry with
tears. Touching her heart with my writing meant a lot to me. I like to connect with people through my
art.
Q: What inspires you?
DJF: People, relationships, memories, music, sadness, torment, kindness, and love.
Q: How do you manage your time when you are working on more than one project?
DJF: None of my personal art or writing projects has time constraints. I work on whatever I feel like
working on. I don’t watch much TV. Everyday I work on my art, writing, or photography. There are always
other things to do as well, updating my website, creating a new art show poster, writing a press release,
and answering E-mails.
Q: To relax, I sit in my backyard; listen to some chill jazz, smooth jazz, drink rum and coke, and read
travel, art, and design magazines. I enjoy swimming and boating with my family and friends. I attend a
lot of social events and concerts. Also, my family has season tickets to
Stockton Thunder Hockey, watching hockey games is a lot of fun.
Q: What is the number one thing you'd like to tell new creative artists?
DJF: Be original, go to all the area galleries, take photographs of all the art hanging on the walls,
and then don’t paint anything that looks like any of it.
Q: Do you have a support system?
DJF: My wife and friends help me with food and refreshments at my art shows. Some friends volunteer to
play music at my events, others run the movie projector or help pass out flyers. Things like
that. My dad was a big supporter. When I first secured my own gallery I was broke. My dad gave me
$300.00 to buy supplies and fix up the gallery. I think he'd be proud of it if he could see it now.
Q: If, at the age you are today, you could spend a day with you at age seven, what would you take
back in time, what would you say, what would you do?
DJF: I would write a series of letters to myself to be opened at certain times in my life. These
letters would help me to avoid the regrets I have now, and would help me take advantage of
opportunities I’ve missed.
Q: When you feel creatively blocked, what do you do to get yourself back into the creative flow?
When your muse is napping, what do you do to wake him/her up?
DJF: I don’t do anything. I believe that art in its most pure form should come from uncontrolled
passion. Art should be something that you feel you must do, something you do not have a choice in.
If you can choose to do it or to not do it, then it’s like any other boring thing. The highest art
in its purest form is spiritual. It is from our heart and our soul and it can’t be stopped by
logic, practicalities, or normal conventions.
Q: How do you recharge your creativity?
DJF: I don’t, I pray for it be recharged. Art is a special gift that comes to my spirit. If I force
it, it will be spoiled. It will be perverted. I pray for it to come to me and I wait for it to come.
This is one of the differences between me and many other artists.
Q: What is your greatest inspiration?
DJF: In my writing my greatest inspiration is often torment.
Q. What makes you smile?
DJF: My kids. Friendly smiling faces that smile at me.
Q: What advice can you offer to a creative artist who is struggling with their inner critic?
DJF: Trust your inner critic but there is no need to struggle. If you are not satisfied or pleased
you must keep writing or painting, that’s all there is to it. When you are happy with your creation
you will know it. There is no way around this; you must continue until you are happy with
your results.
Q: Many artistic people struggle to develop a routine that allows them time for their creative
work. What advice can you give that will help them create a balance between work and social life?
DJF: Look, artists must change the way they think, thinking like this will make them like everyone
else. You can’t think of art or writing like a job or something normal you that can control. It’s not
like finding time to go to the gym. If you want to do art you will find the time. It you don’t find the
time then it was never meant to be, it’s that simple.
Q: What creative individuals do you admire?
DJF: Wildlife artists Christian Riese Lassen and Wyland.
Movie producer George Lucas. Creative visionary Walt Disney.
Q: What is your favorite first sentence in a book?
DJF: "It was a sunny July morning in 1981, and Dick Bass had no inkling whatever that before
the day was over he would receive a phone call that would send him on the beginning of an incredible
series of adventures to the most remote corners of every continent on earth."
From Seven Summits by Dick Bass, Frank Wells, and Rick Ridgeway.
Q: Are you listening to music as you answer these questions? If yes, what are you listening to?
DJF:
Smooth Jazz.
Q: If you only had one more day to live, what would you do with the 24 hours?
DJF: Go around to all my family and friends to tell them how much I love them.
Q: When do you feel most energized?
DJF:
Right before one of my art show receptions or one of my spoken word events.
Q: When do you feel most energized?
DJF:
Right before one of my art show receptions or one of my spoken word events.
Q: Who is the most creative person you’ve ever known?
DJF:
Sam Bassett. He is an artist, sculptor, designer, and gallery owner. He lives in the
local area now, and I own seven of his sculptures. Sam has worked with kings and world leaders.
He designed the uniforms for the America’s Cup in the late 1960’s. The long and impressive
list of his accomplishments is remarkable.
Q: Can you see your finished project before you start it?
DJF: No, not at all. I have no idea how my paintings and poems will turn out.
Q: Do you feel that you chose your passion, or did it choose you?
DJF: It chose me.
Q: What book are you reading right now?
DJF: The Book of Tiki by Sven Kirsten.
Q: What is the last movie you watched?
DJF: Pretty in Pink.
Q: What is the favorite question you were ever asked and what was your answer?
DJF:
“Oh my God, are you David Jon Foster?
“Yup, that’s me.”
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
DJF: I was drinking with a homeless man once. He told me to thank God for my life and to go
home to my wife.
Q: Your famous last words, please share with us a piece of advice, a favorite quote, a tip, whatever
you wish.
DJF:
"It’s hard to explain, being fundamentally altered from the person I was. Reservoirs now taped, the
gates opened, organic human chemicals flow free. The knowledge now known. Of enhanced mental powers,
perception and ability. To feel the smallest of nuance, visions and the mind reading trick. Small
traits lying dormant for years, blown up. It’s all inside this book. I was seeking help and was given
a gift. At times a curse I think, but still a gift I suppose. I really don’t have a choice any way, least I’m
still alive and well there is no going back for me I’m afraid. So onward I go, to fullfill my destiny."
The preface from my book,
The Writing of David Jon Foster.
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