Joseph Marshal Foster is hard to miss—he's tall, with a booming voice and a welcoming smile that draws people in. Together with his wife Nicole, who did the cooking, Foster volunteered at The Mission, a soup kitchen in Smiths Falls, Ontario, where he engaged with the visitors. Inspired by their stories, he decided to paint them, but first, he needed to earn their trust through conversations, giving rides, and small acts of kindness.
Foster paints his subjects on cardboard, believing it to be the perfect medium to reflect their tough, urban lives, often overlooked by society. To elevate this humble material, he frames each piece in gilded gold, emphasizing their true value. His work has gained attention, and it will soon be exhibited in Ottawa and Guelph. A portion of the sales will go to support The Mission, which provides food and a place for people to socialize.
“If you invest in friendship, it will always be with you,” Foster says.
