Barbara Foster

Barbara's class isn't for someone looking for an easy ride. You have plenty of work to do and high expectations about progress and process. She's fair, honest and professional, offers constructive criticism and a vast amount of knowledge on the subject. It took me a little while to get used to her personality, but once I found that she had a sense of humor, I liked her. Her lectures are very hands-on, so you have to be there and take notes. She does not force content on you, although she does encourage drawing from life and experimentation. The cost of supplies is high, as in any serious art class. My only fault lies in the studio. As a community thoroughfare, few students take the time to clean up after themselves. They gouge the ink, leave grounds on the brayers and use excessive amounts of solvents and rags. I'm so disappointed with the SFSU art students who show such disrespect for others.

I am not an art major but I really liked this class. I think that Barbara takes time out to explain and help people learn who are really interested in being there. If you do not show an interest in the class than she won't waste her time on stroking your ego. This may be what the previous reviewer was looking for. I loved doing the wood cutting and continue to work on them on my own because she inspired me. As far as materials being too expensive, I had a really tight budget during the class and found less costly items at Amsterdam Art, (they often have stuff on sale). Don't let the previous review scare you away from taking a really great class, with a wonderful instructor.

I did not enjoy this class, but I honestly believe that it may have been made more tolerable had it not been taught by BARBARA FOSTER. The first half of the course involved the tedious drawing and re-drawing of such exciting items as potted cacti and chair legs. I soon gathered from the enforced examination of her own extremely boring artwork that these plants and chairs were very much her favorite subjects in the whole world. No other art teacher I've ever encountered has ever displayed such a giant lack of concern and/or interest towards the cost of materials, holding the attention of students, the production of artwork which contains any signs of originality, quality, or the use of any materials that don't cost an arm and a leg. Works by fellow students incorporating good ideas but limited funding were overlooked and ignored in favor of trendy and stupid crap created by wealthy art snobs and other morons Foster seems so easily impressed by. The emphasis was not on actual demonstration and explanation of technique, or any other TEACHING but was instead nearly entirely focused on making your bad art palatable through the wonders of expensive mattes. Barbara Foster is the reason I am no longer an Art major. She is no fun.