a chinwag with the artist behind the paintings of your favourite nostalgic treats
Food is never just food – in each recipe, mixing bowl and mouthful is a dollop of meaning, whether it be a portal to the past, an exploration of the future, or a connection to community. Artist Jacklyn Foster understands this intrinsically – you can see it illustrated in her paintings of nostalgic treats and kitchen-made memories. We chat to the rad lass about her process below, and how food – and the art it provokes – can be a bridge to the past.
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Tell us a bit about you and the art you create. I am a full-time contemporary artist based in Mildura/Latji Latji and Barkindji Country, Victoria. My work focuses on acrylic paintings and hand-illustrated fine art prints that centre around nostalgic kitchen items, shared family meals and domestic rituals. I see art as a heartbeat for regional living – something that celebrates our local community and the beauty of everyday life. Whether I’m collaborating with iconic Australian brands or chatting with the local community at the farmers' market, my goal is to show how art strengthens our sense of belonging and nostalgia through food, and celebrates the beauty of our shared everyday lives. I hope when people come across my work they feel a warm sense of nostalgia, joy, or become reflective and sentimental in a beautiful way – that they look at my work and it immediately brings them a feeling that draws them to it. I hope it sticks with them enough to make it memorable, that they think about it again and again.
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How has painting these bits of kitchen nostalgia provided you with a portal through memory? I like to think of my paintings as a bridge to the past – again through a nostalgic lens – that often evoke a warm sense of nostalgia and joy in those who view them. I’ve found that these domestic scenes can be deeply reflective (as I am a deeply reflective, sentimental gal). For example, I've had collectors share that my work reminds them of special people they have lost, triggering beautiful memories every time they walk past the piece. For me, these subjects are a way to capture and preserve the feeling of a moment. And it is so incredible to me that I can paint an object, or a scene, that is significant to me, but others can then view it and place their own memories and experiences onto the piece and have a connection to it as well. It’s so surreal.
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Where do you look for creative inspiration? Inspiration usually hits in the kitchen while I’m cooking or during my morning coffee routine. I find a lot of inspiration comes purely from being a part of the Sunraysia community, being surrounded by so much fresh produce being grown, nature, and specifically at local farmers' markets, cafés and restaurants. It can also happen when I am grocery shopping as well – something will catch my eye, like the really funky honey bear jar I spotted recently and came home and immediately painted. Now I use that very jar when I’m baking.
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Do you have any tips for getting over a creative block? I take myself out of my studio and out for coffee to my favourite café. Getting outside, seeing people and a cheeky caffeine hit in the form of coffee always helps, and I will often take my dog Ruby, so it’s a two in one – walk and café visit. I then go through my folder of photos of artworks I have created or photos I have taken that have inspired me enough to take that photo and save it for later. On the flipside, when I have gotten to the other side of the creative block, if the spark is strong I hit the canvas immediately and lay down a strong background colour to get the idea out of my brain and body and straight onto canvas. I don't ever sketch with a greylead onto canvas – I map it all out in acrylic paint. I love the boldness and sense of confidence within my practice that comes with it.
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Do you have a favourite treat you’ve painted? That is like asking who my favourite child is… how can I choose just one! I would say it would have to be anything chocolate related, as I have a massive sweet tooth and it’s also one of the pieces that people respond to so positively, time and time again. I also use it a lot in my baking so it feels very full circle. HOWEVER, the salt tube would also have to be up there as that is the piece that kicked off the entire “My Kitchen Cupboard” collection. Like, that is very hard to top, and it is probably one of the most used staples in our kitchen at home.
Hungry for more delish arty stuff? Feast your eyes Katie Barron’s nostalgic cake art or have a squiz at these tasty olive earrings. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.
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