W
henever her second-grade teacher read
a story to the class, Judy Foust-Harrell drew a
picture to go with it. So began her lifetime love
of art.
Judy grew up in the small town of Bonners
Ferry, Idaho, which was also home to the famous
portrait artist Bette Myers. Myers took an interest
in Judy and mentored her, gave her free lessons,
and provided the young girl with some of her old
pastels and oils. Myers took Judy to places where
she could show off her developing art skills.
Judy’s parents also bought art supplies for her,
and the young artist devoured the knowledge and
tools as other children might devour sweets. Her
dream was to attend art school — a dream that
was beyond what her parents could afford.
Instead, she got married to Jack Foust about a
year after her high school graduation and life
interrupted art for a while.
Besides being a wife and mother of four rambunctious children, the
couple owned and operated a logging business in Cashmere, Washington.
Judy ran the office, did payroll and bookkeeping, and did the scheduling
for their crews. There was no time in her busy life for Judy’s art career,
but she has no regrets for the years spent helping her husband and raising
their beautiful children. Tragedy struck in 2007 when Jack passed away
from cancer.
March | April 2020
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