Steve Forster is a contemporary artist whose work thoughtfully explores the intersection of the physical and the metaphysical. In his painting Present Tense, Forster uses the concept of “triplets” to symbolize the collision of past, present, and future. The piece incorporates the motifs of sunflowers and hands, both of which serve as symbols of absorption and reflection of light. Sunflowers, known for following the sun’s movement, represent the human pursuit of energy and growth, always chasing light for sustenance and renewal. This metaphor speaks to our constant search for direction in an ever-evolving world, caught between what has been, what is, and what lies ahead. Present Tense becomes a meditation on living in the moment, while simultaneously recognizing the passage of time that shapes our journey. The painting also merges the digital and physical worlds, addressing the growing tension between technology and nature. This mirrors the way modern life is increasingly shaped by technology, while still rooted in natural, human experience.

Born in Boston, MA, Steve Forster earned his MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art and also studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, where he met his wife, Rebecca. Since 2014, he has co-directed the Long Island Academy of Fine Art (LIAFA) in Glen Cove, NY, alongside Rebecca. Steve teaches painting at both LIAFA and NYAA. His work blends digital and traditional media, creating contemporary portrait stories. Steve and Rebecca have three children: Elijah, Evie, and William.