Some know Ken Foster as a simple urban artist who lives, paints, and sells his works directly on the streets of Vancouver. In certain artistic circles, however, Foster is a respected artist with a unique style and international recognition. Some even call him “Vancouver’s Van Gogh.” Next on vancouver1.one.
The Streets of Vancouver Became His Studio
Ken Foster was born in 1970 and grew up in a foster family in Delta. He began studying visual arts at Kwantlen College, where he spent about three years, before attending the Emily Carr University of Art and Design for another year.
His first paintings were sold on the streets of the Commercial Drive neighbourhood. Over time, Foster ended up in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, moving from one rundown hotel to another. The alleys of the Eastside are often the main subject of his work. His paintings are also recognizable by the materials he uses. He paints on traditional canvases as well as pizza boxes and even street signs.
Ken Foster is often spotted in Gastown, covered in paint as he creates another Vancouver cityscape. He usually works quickly, believing that spending too much time on a piece leads to overthinking details, which ultimately worsens the final result.
Art Is Not His Only Addiction
Before gaining wider recognition, Foster tried not to sell his paintings for less than $20. However, there was an instance where he sold a piece for just $2, which he spent on a Slurpee.
Ken Foster struggles with a mental health disorder as well as substance addiction. However, neither of these factors explains why he spends hours painting in the rain and selling his artwork at low prices. He simply follows his heart.
Despite his addiction, Foster has no intention of quitting. In an interview, he stated that drugs help him plan his day and structure his time. He considers them a reward for himself, with the only real problem being their high cost.
How Vancouver Residents Support the Artist
Ken Foster’s life was captured in detail by filmmaker Josh Laner, who observed and documented Foster’s daily experiences over eighteen months. The result was the documentary film Ken Foster. The film explores his relationship with art, his mental health, and the rapid changes occurring in Vancouver, all from the perspective of a street artist.
Following the film’s release, Foster received more public attention, but his daily life remained mostly unchanged. He continued doing what he had done before meeting Josh Laner—and what he had been doing ten years prior—creating a life cycle of his own.
Kim Briscoe, the owner of Kim’s Prints, a store with locations in Gastown and the West End, sells Foster’s artwork. According to Briscoe, his signature Vancouver cityscapes are highly popular and ordered from all over the world. Foster’s canvases sell almost daily, with prices ranging from $50 to $750 per painting.
A Book About Foster’s Life and Art
After hearing about Vancouver’s mysterious street artist, writer Sean Nosek decided to meet Foster in person. Their initial encounters turned into a deep friendship, eventually leading to a book about the artist’s life.
Published in 2018, the book, titled “Vancouver: Life, Art, and Alleyways”, tells the story of Ken Foster, recorded over countless hours of conversations in his small room in one of Downtown Eastside’s budget hotels.
The book also features a collection of Foster’s paintings. The selection focused on works that took more time to complete, rather than the quick pieces sold to tourists in Gastown. Many paintings originally intended for the book were sold before publication, leading to frequent revisions as Foster created new works to replace those that had been purchased.