Jacklyn Foster (@jacklynfosterart) is a fun-loving full-time artist who uses an abstract style to express her creativity. On a week day, you’ll catch her making comedic Instagram reels, or doing commissions and delivering the goods in her signature overalls!
She’s confident that art is her calling and her lively, unique artwork speaks for itself. Follow along to learn more about Jacklyn.
Why did you first get involved in art and how did it evolve?
I re-found my love for art at age 25, after studying an unrelated degree for 5 years. I loved art all throughout school and was often the DUX for studio arts, arts, visual communications. I fell into the societal pressure that art wasn't a real job and fell back into painting only 2 years ago, and have been full time in my art business for 6 months, and already have an assistant too (it's been a very quick journey!). I can't really explain it apart from, it was always going to happen, regardless of my path I would always have come back to art.
What drove you to pursue your style of art?
A combination of factors, life experiences, a lot of experimentation, playing with music and sound while creating, visiting galleries and being open to trying new things. 
How often do you practice? Any practicing motivation advice?
I am a full-time artist so fortunately most work days! Mainly when I'm not swamped with admin, but I now have a wonderful personal assistant who has become such an asset to my business which has given me more time to focus on painting, and creating. Basically, all the fun stuff! My main tip about practicing motivation, is to not force it. Embrace the moments that you feel like you're in the groove and work with them, but give yourself time if it's not happening. The motivation will come back, I promise. Do things completely un-art related, for me it's playing soccer and going to the beach, reading and seeing friends and stepping away from my work.
What are the best tips you’ve learned coming into the industry?
Don't be afraid to share your work, and give stuff a go, ask questions, because the worst people can say is no. It's better that you try something and give it a go, than not at all. Worst case scenario is you'll learn a valuable lesson, which you can use further into your career. Just have fun and play, be bold to try something new, and lastly don't take yourself too seriously but also give yourself the credit you deserve. 
What does creativity mean to you?
Creativity, to me, means a plethora of things, it's how I express myself, how I communicate with others, how I execute my ideas and bring things to life that only exist apart from now, in my mind. Creativity gives me an outlet to make sense of what's going on inside my head and how I process what is going on around me.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on?
Oh, this is a fun question! Hands down the best project I have worked on is with the Royal Children's Hospital's 150th Anniversary Arts Trail, Me & Uoo Uoo. Where I was selected along with 99 other artists to paint a giant sculpture that was placed in Queen Victoria Gardens. My Uoo Uoo was called "Art Can Change Your World" and was auctioned off for a whopping $11,000 which was donated to the Royal Children's Hospital. How amazing is that?!!!!
What are you excited about for the future?
Words can't even describe how excited I am for what the future holds for me. I can't wait to see what my first offsite art studio looks like, my work car that I will buy, and to meet the people who will add to my team who I don't even know yet! I'm also pumped for amazing projects that will come my way that I don't know about yet! I know I have a lot to look forward to.
What’s your favourite Mont Marte product?
I'm going to be cheeky and say two Mont Marte products, because I can't decide. The Mont Marte Pouring acrylic range and the Dimensions acrylic range. The colours are so solid and the contrast textures they give work so beautifully on their own, or together. The colour ranges are great too, very diverse. 
How do you build the courage to show people new work?
I always tell artists it's like a muscle you need a flex, the more art you share, the easier it gets to share. You'll only ever need to share your first piece once, and it's like ripping off a bandaid. It gets easier with time. It also gets easier with how comfortable you become with your work. What people think of your work becomes less important, you build such a solid belief system in what you create that it becomes a breeze. 
We hope you loved getting to know Jacklyn, and that you had some fun along the way.
Share your projects with us! Add #montmarteart or tag @montmarteart to your posts on Instagram or Facebook so we can see what you're creating. Or check out more of our featured artists here.
