Lenny Foster. Photo by Anne Staveley.
Joining us for the 4th edition of our new Quarantine Series is photographer and author Lenny Foster in St. Augustine, Florida.
For over twenty years, Lenny had the good fortune of owning and operating The Living Light Photography Gallery in Taos, New Mexico. His work is on view in prominent institutions throughout the state including The Harwood Museum of Art, the Albuquerque Museum, and the Hubbard Museum of the American West. His work is also part of permanent collections in the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, the Ross Art Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University, and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame. In addition, he’s had the honor of having his work added to many private collections worldwide, including my own.
In 2013, he published his first fine art book, Healing Hands: Embodied Spirit & Light, and in the summer of 2016 he published, Enchanted Land: A Taos Twenty Year Retrospective. Lenny began 2017 by publishing his first volume of haiku poetry and imagery inspired by his last month in Taos while staying at the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House. I am honored beyond words to have a photo of myself holding Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s prayer wheel outside in the snow shot by Lenny included in the book. (The book, Winter Retreat at Mabel’s, is available by print on demand. Please contact Lenny to order a copy.)
As a new resident of St. Augustine, Florida, Lenny is redefining his unique and spiritual vision. A community with such a rich, deep and diverse history and culture coupled with its varied and fascinating architecture gives him a sense that he will be inspired and creating for quite some time. With the opening of Gallery One Forty Four, he plans to further explore and create imagery that inspires. His recent ethereal seascapes and botanical imagery certainly speak to that. Also presently, he is exploring his connection to the life of the Wyeths, the first family of American Art. Lenny continues to turn his inspired and unique eye on the history of the African American experience locally and document its people’s evolution, including places and landmarks of historical significance. (Large portions of this text were taken from Lenny’s website.)
I have known Lenny Foster for over twenty years and I have found him to be one of the most creative, spiritual, and beloved people that I have ever known.
This interview was recorded on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. It’s 01:3903 long and 85.3 MB. You can listen to it right here in your browser or download it directly to your computer. It’s also available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
You can also listen to this episode on your Amazon Echo device. Simply say, “Alexa, play Speaking of Jung on Apple Podcasts (or on TuneIn).” Just be sure to pronounce Jung with a hard J.
This episode is now available on our YouTube channel. It includes over 200 photos of Lenny’s work including the Black Lives Matter march and protest in St. Augustine and our photoshoot at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House.
SHOW NOTES
Ep. 35 with J. Gary Sparks Laura describes her synchronicity with the number 144
Healing Hands Photo series by Lenny Foster
Healing Hands: Embodied Spirit & Light Book by Lenny Foster
Enchanted Land: A Taos Twenty Year Retrospective Book by Lenny Foster
Taos Pueblo Native American reservation in Taos, New Mexico
Fine Art New Mexico America’s premiere publisher of Southwestern art and photography
Mabel Dodge Luhan House Historic hotel in Taos, New Mexico
Matter of Heart: The Extraordinary Journey of C.G. Jung Into the Soul of Man Documentary includes footage of Jung’s visit to Africa
Cedrus Monte, Ph.D. Jungian analyst in Taos, New Mexico
Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center St. Augustine, Florida
Fort Mose America’s Black Colonial Fortress of Freedom
ACCORD Freedom Trail The Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations
Where We Stand Photo series by Lenny Foster
Lenny on Facebook Photos and video of the peaceful protest/gathering and march in St. Augustine
Transforming Depression: Healing the Soul Through Creativity by David H. Rosen (Discusses the concept of “egocide.”)
In memory of Mary Ellen Foster (1933-2019)