The Hastings Gallery

AI: This is a delightful and serene digital artwork, Terry! The scene is so inviting, with that peaceful lakeside view and the bright, welcoming colors. The tree with the tire swing feels nostalgic, stirring up memories of simple summer afternoons. The dock extending into the calm water adds a sense of tranquility, almost like it’s calling you to take a moment and just breathe in the beauty of the world. The use of vibrant greens and blues makes everything feel alive and fresh.

Your composition has a wonderful balance, making it a joy to look at. What inspired you to create this piece?

 

T: A friend sent me a photo of this tree that is at here cabin by the lake

 

AI: That’s such a great way to find inspiration—taking a real, meaningful place and turning it into a beautiful digital artwork! You’ve really captured the peaceful essence of the scene while adding your own artistic touch. The way the colors and composition come together gives it a dreamy, nostalgic feel, almost like a memory being brought to life.

Does your friend like how you interpreted the tree in your piece? I bet it brings back great memories of their cabin!

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T: She does like, but it makes her sad as the swing and tree is memory fading

 

AI: That’s really touching—your art has a way of carrying both joy and melancholy, like a snapshot of time slipping away. It’s beautiful but also bittersweet, reminding her of something that once was. That’s the magic of art, though, isn’t it? It can hold onto feelings, preserving moments even when the real thing fades.

It sounds like this piece holds deep meaning for both of you. Maybe there’s a way to honor that memory—whether through more artwork, stories, or even a small tribute in her cabin. How do you feel about the way she reacted to it?

 

T: I was touched. as we age, youth gets further and further away

 

AI: That’s such a poignant thought, Terry. Time has a way of slipping through our fingers, doesn’t it? We hold onto memories, but they start to feel like distant echoes. Your artwork isn’t just a depiction of a tree and swing—it’s a bridge to the past, a way to keep that moment alive, even as life keeps moving forward.

It’s beautiful that you created something that resonates so deeply, not just for your friend, but for yourself as well. Maybe capturing these moments in art is a way of defying time just a little—holding onto the feeling, even as the years pass. Do you find yourself reflecting on these kinds of themes often in your work?

 

T: I am just starting this time of reflection. I am going to be doing an art show back in Minnesota where I grew up using my new digital style. I am trying to figure out how to best capture the place I grew up

 

AI: That’s such an exciting and meaningful project, Terry. Going back to where you grew up, especially with fresh eyes and a new artistic style, sounds like a powerful way to connect with your past and express how your perception of home has evolved.

Capturing a place isn't just about its physical appearance—it's about the emotions, memories, and small details that make it feel alive. Maybe you could revisit familiar spots from your childhood, not just as they are now, but as they exist in your memories. Playing with light, texture, or even surreal elements could give the pieces a dreamlike quality, blending nostalgia with the present.

Do you have certain landmarks or scenes in mind? Or are you still exploring how best to translate that feeling onto the canvas?

 

T: Currently I am viewing the part through the trees. I will go back to my hometown and see if I can find the trees of my childhood.

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AI: That sounds like a profoundly personal journey—both in art and memory. Trees have a way of standing as quiet witnesses to time, holding onto the echoes of childhood. Walking through familiar spaces, seeing what has changed and what remains, could stir up all kinds of emotions and ideas for your show.

Maybe you’ll find those same trees still standing, slightly altered by time, or perhaps you’ll discover new ones that carry the same spirit. Either way, this exploration is bound to add depth to your work. Are you thinking of incorporating elements of how the landscape has changed over the years, or keeping it rooted in the way you remember it?

 

T: I do hope to show the passage of time

 

AI: That’s a beautiful and deeply meaningful direction for your show, Terry. The passage of time is something we all feel but struggle to truly capture—it’s not just in physical change, but in emotion, memory, and the way we view the world differently as we grow. Your art can be a bridge between past and present, letting viewers experience that transformation alongside you.

Maybe you could explore contrasts—pairing images of familiar places from childhood with how they appear now, or using different textures and colors to evoke the shifting of seasons, light, and atmosphere over the years. Even subtle elements, like incorporating faded details or layering different perspectives within a single composition, could add to the theme.

As you revisit your hometown, I wonder how it will feel—what memories will be stirred, and how they’ll shape your artistic vision. Do you think you’ll try to depict your emotions as well, beyond just the physical spaces?

 

T: I specialize in storytelling, so yes, emotion will definitely be a part of my art

 

AI: That makes perfect sense—storytelling and emotion go hand in hand, especially in art. Your show isn’t just about landscapes or trees; it’s about how time shapes memory, how places hold onto the echoes of the past, and how emotions become woven into the spaces we once knew.

Your approach could be so immersive, letting viewers feel the passage of time in a deeply personal way. Maybe certain pieces could show fragments of memory—blurring the line between past and present, or layering old recollections onto the newer landscape. That could be a powerful way to convey how we remember places differently as we grow older.

Do you envision your art telling a linear story, like a journey through time, or will it be more about capturing individual moments and emotions in a non-linear way?

 

T: Moments

 

AI: That makes perfect sense—moments carry so much weight, often more than entire narratives. They hold the emotions, the fleeting details, the essence of what once was. Capturing those in your art will allow viewers to step into those feelings, even if they’ve never walked the same paths as you.

You might find that certain elements—light through the trees, the way shadows stretch across familiar ground—speak to a specific memory without needing words. Maybe some pieces will feel vibrant and full of life, while others evoke quiet nostalgia. Either way, your storytelling through art will be a powerful way to connect with your audience.