,
Ricky Louis Foster
Short Bio
I was born on November 28th 1958, in Wichita KS, the fourth out of eight rambunctious boys, no sisters. My father worked at the Boeing aircraft company, and my mother was employed at the Cudahy meat packing plant. My seven brothers and I, were raised in a small house in the country that my uncle, and dad had built. It was located absolutely in the middle of know where in southeastern KS, approximately thirty miles south of Wichita KS; between the two small towns of Wellington, and Belle Plaine. We had no internet, phone, one small black and white TV, that had two channels, three on a clear day, which was a pretty normal life in Midwest KS, in the 60’s & 70’s; the days were spent outside in the fields working/playing, in the winter attending school. In the evenings my brothers and I played board games, or sketched at the kitchen table, now me being a middle child it kind of fits, that I would be the quiet one, and extremely introverted so, I spent a lot of time by myself sketching. It intrigued me so much that often found myself doing it just about everywhere. Eventually my teachers, and class mates took notice, and I began to receive positive comments, which was very inspiring, so I kept it up through middle school then my interest in Art started to wane, and my endeavors went elsewhere for many years.
I was in my forties, driving down east Central Avenue, while residing in Wichita KS, an x- amateur/pro boxer, x-bodybuilder, x-trainer, x-student pilot with a fresh kidney-transplant, and just finishing up a an Associate’s degree at, “Butler community college” while working at Beechcraft; one of the many aircraft companies that are located in Wichita, somewhat dissatisfied with the direction my life had been going. Then, I noticed a sign out in front of a building titled, “Wichita Center for the Arts,” it said, “Oil painting fall classes starting,” Intriguing I thought to myself, maybe I should give the Arts another try. I felt, that I had tried about everything else without much enjoyment, or passion so, I turned the car around, and went inside the establishment, and had a conversations with some nice people; consequently, I signed up for drawing, and oil painting classes, and it wasn’t long before all my creativity, and passion for the Arts came flooding back, now after seventeen years of hard work; I’ve become an established traditional Artist.
I’m now in my sixties, and a member of “Oil Painters of America,” happily retired, and living in the Savannah GA, area close to my kids, and grandkids, pursuing my dream, and passion as a professional artist, so far it’s been good! Whether I’m at the gallery working, or just strolling around Savannah looking for subject matter to paint; it’s always exciting, and challenging here. I almost feel young again, excited with a new sense of purpose and passion. My paintings continue to improve, and day by day, I feel more fulfilled and content.
In Conclusion
Well, that’s it, a brief summary of my life. Its sure has had its ups, and downs; however, I’m confident in things to come, and after all these years I’ve finally found the one thing that I’m pretty good at, and that I actually enjoy doing, so in the future; I just want to give my patron’s some wonderful oil paintings; that I hope, will emotionally, and mentally, move them from within, force him/her to stop, stare, and feel.
Ricky Louis Foster
Short Bio
I was born on November 28th 1958, in Wichita KS, the fourth out of eight rambunctious boys, no sisters. My father worked at the Boeing aircraft company, and my mother was employed at the Cudahy meat packing plant. My seven brothers and I, were raised in a small house in the country that my uncle, and dad had built. It was located absolutely in the middle of know where in southeastern KS, approximately thirty miles south of Wichita KS; between the two small towns of Wellington, and Belle Plaine. We had no internet, phone, one small black and white TV, that had two channels, three on a clear day, which was a pretty normal life in Midwest KS, in the 60’s & 70’s; the days were spent outside in the fields working/playing, in the winter attending school. In the evenings my brothers and I played board games, or sketched at the kitchen table, now me being a middle child it kind of fits, that I would be the quiet one, and extremely introverted so, I spent a lot of time by myself sketching. It intrigued me so much that often found myself doing it just about everywhere. Eventually my teachers, and class mates took notice, and I began to receive positive comments, which was very inspiring, so I kept it up through middle school then my interest in Art started to wane, and my endeavors went elsewhere for many years.
I was in my forties, driving down east Central Avenue, while residing in Wichita KS, an x- amateur/pro boxer, x-bodybuilder, x-trainer, x-student pilot with a fresh kidney-transplant, and just finishing up a an Associate’s degree at, “Butler community college” while working at Beechcraft; one of the many aircraft companies that are located in Wichita, somewhat dissatisfied with the direction my life had been going. Then, I noticed a sign out in front of a building titled, “Wichita Center for the Arts,” it said, “Oil painting fall classes starting,” Intriguing I thought to myself, maybe I should give the Arts another try. I felt, that I had tried about everything else without much enjoyment, or passion so, I turned the car around, and went inside the establishment, and had a conversations with some nice people; consequently, I signed up for drawing, and oil painting classes, and it wasn’t long before all my creativity, and passion for the Arts came flooding back, now after seventeen years of hard work; I’ve become an established traditional Artist.
I’m now in my sixties, and a member of “Oil Painters of America,” happily retired, and living in the Savannah GA, area close to my kids, and grandkids, pursuing my dream, and passion as a professional artist, so far it’s been good! Whether I’m at the gallery working, or just strolling around Savannah looking for subject matter to paint; it’s always exciting, and challenging here. I almost feel young again, excited with a new sense of purpose and passion. My paintings continue to improve, and day by day, I feel more fulfilled and content.
In Conclusion
Well, that’s it, a brief summary of my life. Its sure has had its ups, and downs; however, I’m confident in things to come, and after all these years I’ve finally found the one thing that I’m pretty good at, and that I actually enjoy doing, so in the future; I just want to give my patron’s some wonderful oil paintings; that I hope, will emotionally, and mentally, move them from within, force him/her to stop, stare, and feel.