Back to Faculty Directory

Professor Foster is a painter & draughtsman originally from the west. His paintings and drawings have been featured in solo and group exhibitions across the country. Professor Foster received commissions to create portraits and artwork for the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish of Schenectady, the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, and the Terra Nova Church of Troy, among others. His courses in drawing and painting emphasize the material aspects of art. An avid experimenter with ancient and contemporary media, he teaches practical alchemy and the secrets of the masters.

Degree Program University
M.F.A. Painting and Drawing Utah State University
B.A. Fine Art: Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking Northwest Nazarene University

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

Portfolio of Recent Student Work

I teach my students to unite craft with content.

What I Love About Siena

I love the encouragement to use my research to enhance my teaching, and the freedom to explore new subjects and media.

My Favorite Courses to Teach

Painting and Drawing

My Professional Experience

Year Title Organization
2010 - Now Assistant Professor of Studio Art Siena College
2009 - 2010 Exhibitions Coordinator and Lecturer in Art Utah State University
2007 - 2007 Instructor, Korea Arts High School Exchange Utah State University
2007 - 2009 Lecturer in Art Utah State University
2006 - 2006 Summer Workshop Instructor The Landing Art Institute
2005 - 2007 Figure Drawing Group Coordinator Utah State University
2005 - 2007 Graduate Instructor Utah State University

Current Research

The history and practice of painting in a variety of media is a fascinating field. I create new work in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and distemper. I borrow freely from the techniques of the past, using them in a contemporarily relevant way. My work blurs the boundaries between drawing, painting, and printmaking.
http://www.scottnelsonfoster.com

Articles & Book Reviews

  • The Journey to Community-Engaged Transdisciplinary Research
    Impact: The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning, vol. 10
    2021
  • Worth a Thousand Words: Using Visual Art to Advance Community Engaged Scholarship
    The AFCU Journal: A Franciscan Perspective on Higher Education, vol. 14
    2017
  • From Structure to Expression: Rethinking Gesture Drawing within Foundations Life Drawing
    FATE in Review
    2013
  • Brewing Creatively
    Zymurgy
    Jan/Feb, 2017
  • Drawing in Quarantine
    NYSATA News, vol. 49
    Summer I, 2020

Awards & Distinctions

  • Trustco Bank Award for Research and Service in Support of the Mission of Siena College. For creation of Visual Art & Design major
    Category: Service-University
    Siena College, 2022
  • Trustco Bank Award for Research and Service in Support of the Mission of Siena College. With member of the 2016 Team BILD
    Category: Research
    Siena College, 2017
  •  2014 Artist of the Year
    Category: Research
    Albany Center Gallery, 2014
  •  Best in Show
    Category: Research
    Historic Albany Foundation, 2014
  • Trustco Bank Award for Research and Service in Support of the Mission of Siena College
    Category: Research
    Siena College, 2014
  • Albany Center Gallery Juror Award in Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region, Juried by Dan Cameron, Chief Curator at the Orange County Museum of Art, The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls New York, 2013
     

    Category: Research
    The Hyde Collection, 2013
  • Nancy Lawton Committee Choice Award
    Category: Research
    Historic Albany Foundation, 2011

Books & Book Chapters

  • Uncontrolling Love: Essays Exploring the Love of God with Introductions by Thomas Jay Oord
    Sacrasage
    2017

Presentations

  • Engaging Communities and Facilitating Scholarship in the Visual Arts
    April, 2016
    National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Asheville, North Carolina
  • St. Kateri Tekakwitha: History and Iconography
    2014
    Tekakwitha Conference, Fargo, North Dakota