Bella Foster’s art transports you to another time and place. With an affinity for mid-century California, namely Palm Springs, she crafts bright and brilliant works that you want to dive headfirst into.
Tell us about your art journey.
My art journey so far has been very organic. I was always drawn to creative subjects at school, and with my grandfather being a photographer, it felt natural to pick up a camera and start playing around with photography at a young age.
Rather than pursuing my love for photography and interest in painting through university, I decided to invest my time and money into travel. Along the way, I slowly found my unique style through plenty of experimentation/trial and error.
The first time I showcased my artwork was at The NZ Art Show when I was 14 years old. I’ve returned to exhibit my work at their annual exhibition every year since. I’ve participated in several group shows across the North Island and opened my first solo exhibition, Space Age, in July, showcasing my largest body of photography and painting work to date.
What draws you to mid-century Palm Springs?
After visiting Palm Springs for the first time in 2017, I instantly fell in love with the pastel colour palette, desert light and retro architecture. It was like travelling back in time in all the best ways, and I left with hundreds of photos and the desire to return as soon as I possibly could. The perfectly preserved mid-century architecture, combined with the intense desert heat, gives it such a unique and almost otherworldly feel.
As my art style has evolved over the years, my affection for Palm Springs has only grown, and I’ve returned several times to take photos and gather inspiration for my paintings.
Do you approach photography with a storyboard, or do you keep your eye out for beautiful things?
My photography work has always been very spontaneous. I’m constantly searching for beautiful colours, an interesting shadow or a unique composition. Whether it’s a dedicated photography mission in Los Angeles or a stroll around my neighbourhood during golden hour, I always have my eyes peeled for a good shot.
Pairing two photos together in a diptych style has become my favourite way to tell a story through photography. Part of the fun is in the unplanned nature of my process and the way a piece comes together through editing and the relationship between two images.
What is the best part about being a creative?
My favourite part about being a creative, with both photography and painting work, is getting lost in the details. I can be an anxious person with a tendency to overthink, but when I’m working on a painting or out on a photography mission, it’s almost meditative, and I find myself feeling completely consumed by the task at hand. Of course, it’s a very satisfying feeling to see a project finished and hanging on the walls of a gallery, too.
Are there any mediums you’re keen to try?
I would love to see how my paintings translate using oils. But my dream medium to explore is ceramics. I’ve always wanted to create a dinner set or some cute mugs inspired by my artwork… watch this space.
Do you get inspiration from any particular films, musicians, or other artists?
I love taking little pieces of inspiration from all forms of art and media. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Edward Scissorhands, or any Wes Anderson film are just a few of my favourite sources of visual inspiration. My all-time favourite artist is David Hockney, both his paintings and his photography work never cease to inspire me. But I also love discovering artists through social media. Some of my current favourites are Billie Culy, Lucy O’Doherty, Martin Parr and Emily Hartley-Skudder.
Your everyday life seems to be as bright and colourful as your art. Did you find that your art style and colour palette came naturally?
I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with aesthetics. I was creating minimalist flat-lays for my blog as a tween and then became fixated on 90s/early 2000s style before finding my love for mid-century and retro. My taste in music, clothing and interior decor has always gone hand-in-hand with my art style. It has evolved naturally over time as my love for all things retro has grown.
What do you have on the horizon for your art?
I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to evolve my art, as well as showcase it. I definitely have the travel bug at the moment and can’t wait to plan my next photography trip. I’m also very focused on evolving my painting work, hopefully getting prints done of my paintings and working on larger canvases. After my first solo exhibition this year, I’m more inspired than ever to find new spots across the country to display my work, too.
How can our readers find you and your work?
You can find me on Instagram at @bellafoster.art and on my website/online art store at bellafosterart.com.
My secondhand clothing store is @planetcaravanthrift on Depop.
