Here is a little background about myself and why I’m an artist. I currently reside in La Costa (Carlsbad), California with the love of my life Renee Lyn, who inspires me everyday to paint the World as I see it. Perched high on a hill, our apartment has an amazing ocean view where we admire spectacular sunsets, from which I draw much inspiration. Hence “Sunsets with Renee Lyn.”
Here is the longer version.
I was born in Louisville Kentucky on January 27 1976, home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Sluggers, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. better know as Muhammad Ali, along with renowned sculptor Ed Hamilton. Not to mention my brother Morgan’s band “Stonewheel.” They rock! Rose Island Road in Oldham County gave me my very first images of a truly beautiful place. The tree lined banks of the Ohio River, cool creeks trickling down the steep hillside through the thick limestone, daffodils and dogwoods blooming in the spring, all filled my eyes and soul with wonderment. My family’s first house was an old red riverboat house predating the American Civil War. The “Red House” is quite majestic in her own right. Overlooking the Ohio River she has seen it all, surviving nearly two centuries. My family and I left Louisville and move to Columbus OH, then to Cincinnati, on to St. Louis MO, and finally to Thousand Oaks CA where my Mom and Sister reside today. Moving around the country wasn’t always easy, in fact it was often pretty hard. However the hardships that we endured always brought us closer together, even when they tried ripped us apart. The friends I have made along the way and the experiences that we shared have made the journey all worthwhile and I wouldn’t trade them for the World.
Special thanks to my Mom for giving me free reign to paint my first mural in her hallway of a surfer “shooting the curl.” It turned out so well that my brother and his wife Carrie asked me to paint a three story mural in their home. It was wild, starting off on the ground floor with an under water coral reef. As you climb the spiral staircase to the second floor your eyes find the keel to a sailboat heading towards Caribbean Islands. Then as you follow the mast to the third floor you will find a radiant sunset stretching to the top of their vaulted ceiling. A lot of love went in to that wall, that’s for sure.
My first painting on canvas was to honor the birth of my nephew Hunter, hence “In Hunter’s Honor.” This was right around the time when I met my muse and fiancé, Renee Lyn. Between her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, with the sun setting into the sea as a backdrop, let’s face it, who wouldn’t be inspired to paint?
Notice of my work began to grow and inquiries for commissioned paintings followed. You see, Renee is not only my inspiration she is also “my lady luck!”
Let me introduce you to my family, my foundation:
My Mom, Jennifer Flowers Foster
My Dad, Wheeler Foster who tragically passed away on October 31, 2007 ”we miss you”
My Brothers and their families:
Morgan and his wife Carrie Shallcross, Nephew Hunter & Niece Lilah
Beau and his wife Lauren, the newly weds
My Sister Jessica Foster, what up Jess!
My Muse, Renee Lyn Piper
