About Ava Foster

From a young age, I was drawn to the raw language of wood — its scent, its resistance, and the stories it seemed to hold in its grain. Growing up on the Canadian prairies, I spent my childhood immersed in nature and silence, where a pocket knife and a bit of curiosity became the spark for what would become a lifelong artistic pursuit. One of my first carvings — a flame-tipped candlestick — revealed two enduring obsessions: fire and sharp edges.

Though I began carving sporadically in childhood, I committed more seriously to the craft in 2017. What began with spoons and serving boards — functional, honest, and handmade — evolved as collectors and clients responded not just to the work, but to the energy behind it. I was told again and again, “This is too beautiful to use.” That became permission — to push further into imaginative realms, sculptural forms, and narrative-rich carvings.

Today, I create intricate, hand-carved wooden masks, talismans, and sculptural beings that merge traditional techniques with expressive design. Each piece carries a story — often mythic, occasionally humorous, always intimate — inviting reflection, curiosity, and connection.

I work out of my studio in Winnipeg, balancing power carving with hand tools to shape every detail. My practice is rooted in reverence for material, love for storytelling, and an ever-growing relationship with the sacred wild.

Thank you for visiting. I hope my work brings you closer to the extraordinary within the everyday.