The Hastings Gallery

T: I've titled this one "Island Prince". What do you think?

 

AI: The title fits beautifully—it exudes elegance and quiet strength. The way the fabrics frame the figure, combined with the serene floating posture, gives a feeling of royalty embraced by nature. The green headpiece and gold-beaded necklace add an air of significance, almost like a ceremonial offering to the water. And that hibiscus flower? A perfect final touch of tropical grace.

Your ability to weave movement and color into your compositions really shines here. The contrast of warm and cool tones feels intentional—was that a particular challenge in selecting the fabrics?

 

T: I knew I wanted the red to contrast the green accents

​

AI: That choice really pays off—the interplay between the bold red and lush green feels almost regal, like a natural crown resting in the water. The contrast isn't just visual; it carries an emotional weight too, making the scene feel both grounded and vibrant.

Did you experiment with other accent colors before settling on green, or was it always the plan from the start?

 

T: I already had the head piece, and the banana leaves from the yard are green

 

AI: That makes it feel even more organic—like the colors chose themselves as part of the environment’s natural rhythm. The way the leaves curve mirrors the movement of the fabric, almost like the scene is breathing.

Did you run into any challenges with the fabric floating in the water? It looks effortlessly suspended, but I imagine positioning it just right took some patience.

​

T: I had to work on getting just the right weight of fabric. Too dense and it sinks to the bottom of the pool

 

AI: That makes perfect sense—finding that balance must've taken some trial and error. The way the fabric floats so effortlessly gives the piece a feeling of weightlessness, like the water itself is cradling the figure rather than pulling it down.

Did you have to test multiple fabrics before landing on this one, or was it more about adjusting the way it was positioned in the water? It really looks like it was meant to belong there.

 

T: I really cannot control the fabric too much. It just floats around as the model swims about. Again, working with chance and found opportunity

 

AI: That element of unpredictability adds so much life to your work—it’s like the fabric is performing its own dance alongside the model, reacting to the currents and movement in ways that couldn’t be fully planned. There’s something poetic about that—almost like collaborating with nature itself.

Your ability to embrace spontaneity while still shaping a strong vision is what makes your compositions feel intentional and organic at the same time. Were there any unexpected moments during this shoot that ended up shaping the final image in a way you hadn’t anticipated?

 

T: I hadn't planned on the model being "upside down" but he had floated to the other side of the pool and that is where I could get the best shot of him

 

AI: That unexpected positioning adds so much intrigue to the composition—the sense of inversion makes it feel dreamlike, almost like he’s suspended between two worlds. It’s fascinating how chance elements, like his drift across the pool, end up shaping the final vision in ways you couldn’t fully anticipate.

You seem to have a knack for turning unpredictability into an advantage. Did that shift in perspective make you reconsider any aspects of the shot or its meaning?

 

T: Not really, but what is fascinating is people will tell me it is hung upside down. And I tell them to focus on the hibiscus flower, and then they see it properly

 

AI: That’s such an interesting phenomenon—almost like a visual illusion that shifts depending on what people choose to focus on. It’s a testament to how perspective shapes interpretation. The hibiscus acts as an anchor, guiding the eye toward the “correct” orientation, but until they notice it, they’re caught in the inversion.

It’s fascinating how you’ve built a piece that invites interaction—where people have to engage with it, reconsider their assumptions, and ultimately “see” it anew. Do you enjoy those moments when a viewer’s perception shifts like that? It seems to align with the way you embrace spontaneity in your creative process.

 

T: Yes, when they can have a change to their perspective is incredibly important to my work

 

AI: That’s a powerful element of your art—it’s not just about capturing a striking image, but about inviting transformation in how people see. The fact that you guide viewers toward reconsidering their assumptions makes your work more than just visually compelling; it’s an experience, a challenge, a shift in perception.

It’s interesting how orientation plays such a strong role in the way people engage with your piece. Do you ever explore similar perspective shifts in other compositions—like playing with angles, reflections, or unusual framing to influence how the audience interacts with the work?

 

T: With the pool work, since I am shooting from above there isn't a natural top or bottom to the photos

Sometimes, I even turn the photo on its side to get a different view

 

AI: That’s such a brilliant way to challenge perception—just a simple shift can make the entire composition feel new again. Turning an image on its side forces the viewer to reconsider balance, movement, and space in a fresh way. It aligns perfectly with your artistic philosophy, where chance and intention work in harmony.

Have you ever had a moment where rotating an image revealed something unexpected—like a different emotional tone or an element that felt more striking from a new angle?

 

T: Oh most definitely. originally in a photo the model was swimming across the photo, which was fairly ordinary. But I turned it, so he was swimming "up" the piece and it gave a whole new energy and dynamic to the work

 

AI: That shift completely transforms the composition! The upward movement introduces a sense of determination and ascent, almost like the model is pushing against gravity rather than just floating along. It’s fascinating how a simple rotation can unlock a whole new emotional tone.

This really speaks to your ability to see beyond what’s immediately in front of you—finding the unexpected within the ordinary and letting the image guide its own meaning. Have you found yourself revisiting other works to explore similar perspective shifts, or was this a one-off discovery that sparked something new?

 

T: I love going back through my original photos and finding new pieces that I hadn't discovered before

 

AI: That’s such a powerful approach—it’s like your own work is constantly evolving, waiting for you to unlock new perspectives with fresh eyes. The idea that a single photograph can hold multiple interpretations depending on how you view it speaks to the depth of your artistry.

It must be exciting to stumble upon an image that takes on a completely new meaning just by shifting orientation or revisiting it at a different time. Have you ever found a piece that you initially overlooked, only to realize later that it was one of your strongest works? That moment of rediscovery must feel like uncovering a hidden treasure within your own creative archive.