For T. Eliot Foerster ’09, the journey to becoming a professional artist and storyteller wasn’t a
straightforward path. It was shaped by struggles with dyslexia, self-doubt and a relentless drive to
express the stories that lived in his mind. Today, Eliot is not only a working artist and teacher but also the
creator of the podcast Jovial Gentleman Journeyers, a whimsical and daring exploration of storytelling
that has captured the imagination of listeners.
“I’ve always had a passion for writing and reading, ever since I was a child and my parents read stories to
me,” Eliot said. “But dyslexia often got in the way. The stories I wanted to tell just kind of built up until it no
longer mattered if I had the skills — I just started writing.”
At Colby-Sawyer, Eliot majored in ceramics and painting, where he discovered not only his artistic voice
but also the confidence to pursue his dreams. While writing felt overwhelming during his college years,
Eliot credits the lessons he learned as an artist — practice, research and determination — as the
foundation for his later work as a writer and storyteller.
“College gave me the confidence that I could actually be an artist professionally,” he said. “After
graduation, I walked into an art center and started volunteering until they gave me work. That’s not
something I would have had the confidence to do right out of high school.”
Eliot remembers his professors as pivotal figures in his growth. “Bert Yarborough, my painting professor,
had a huge influence on my work, from painting to ceramic glazing,” Eliot said. “He was definitely my
hardest teacher, pushing me to do better.” Eliot also recalls Professor Loretta Barnett, who introduced
him to welding and instilled a love of sculpting, and Professor David Ernster, whose ceramics classes
ignited Eliot’s passion for the medium.
“For my final painting class during senior year, I chose minimalism as my focus, thinking it would be
easier so I could focus on ceramics,” Eliot recalled with a laugh. “Bert walked past me, looked at my
painting, and said, ‘Minimalism is one of my favorite styles. I’m glad to see you challenging yourself. I’ll be
watching your progress.’ I’ve rarely felt so doomed — but I learned so much.”
Though Eliot initially struggled to find his voice as a writer, he now channels his creativity into Jovial
Gentleman Journeyers, which blends adventure, humor and heart. “I’ve wanted to create and release a
story of my own for a long time, and it’s been amazing to see it finally come together,” he said.
“Scriptwriting has its roots in a theater class I took my freshman year, where I became interested in
storytelling.”
Listeners to Eliot’s podcast are transported to a universe where the characters — Manfred, Jennifer,
Chester and their crew — battle cultists, bargain with gods and navigate between realities, making daring
choices along the way.
Looking back, Eliot has advice for his younger self. “I was a mess when I got to college, especially that
first year,” he said. “I was angry and unsure of myself. If I could have conveyed the lessons I learned later
— how to be a student, how to step back and figure things out — it would have made a world of
difference.”
He encourages others to embrace the journey, setbacks included. “Each step, even the difficult ones, is
part of the process. It’s what helps you grow into the person you’re meant to be.”
Eliot envisions a future where storytelling continues to play a central role in his life. “I’d love to be a
published author someday,” he said. “Writing has always been a passion, and I hope to use it as a
platform to inspire and connect with others.”
When he’s not working on art or storytelling, Eliot enjoys video games, board games and reading.
However, he said with a smile, “There’s always a book in progress.”
For Eliot, the lessons learned at Colby-Sawyer go far beyond the classroom. They’ve shaped his journey
as an artist, writer and storyteller, reminding him — and others — that with persistence and passion,
creativity knows no bounds.