Brushstrokes of Memory

Brushstrokes of Memory

ADAM TREST

By Cayman Clevenger PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADAM TREST

Nestled in the historic heart of Laurel, Mississippi, Adam Trest’s studio is a wonderland of whimsy where the vivid tapestry of the South is spun into art. Four squirrels scamper wildly, a doe pops its head up to look in the direction of a vibrant cardinal, ducks and swamp birds rise triumphantly towards the sky, a fox rests quietly in its foxhole, nature abounds in vibrant brushstrokes. Trest’s canvas reflects nature in a visual ballet that invokes a childlike sense of wonder and taps into the universal language of shared memory, transfixing and transporting his audience to cherished memories of the past.

Trest, an esteemed visual storyteller and a New York Times bestselling illustrator, demonstrates a deep understanding of Walter Anderson’s artistic language, yet his creations are distinguished by a unique style, exceptional quality, and personal choice of medium. His classical training, coupled with an innovative approach to color, positions him prominently in the realm of contemporary art.

Though Trest’s ties to Mississippi run deep, Trest spent his childhood across the Gulf South steeped in nature and immersed in southern imagery—from the marshes of Louisiana to the idyllic piney woods of his backyard in Laurel. Trest was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and his father’s career in the oil fields later brought the family to both Houma and Texas. But, when Trest was nine years old, his parents returned to their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.

Influenced by the vibrant life around him and with a sketchbook always at hand, art played an enduring, crucial role. Trest attended a small Laurel school where his mother was a language arts teacher and the prestigious Lauren Rogers Museum served as his own culturally rich playground. Playing a formative role in Trest’s life, he recounts impromptu field trips to the Museum and playing tag around a Rodin sculpture. It’s no surprise, then, that Trest now finds his artistic inspiration in the natural world, a theme deeply embedded in his soul from his journey across the south.

Despite this, Trest had not always planned to make art his career. His academic journey led him to Mississippi State University where he initially studied architecture. But, answering the call of creativity of making art, he later changed his major to fine arts. While there, Trest studied under esteemed watercolor artist and professor Brent Funderburk, who heavily influenced Trest’s unique style. Trest’s marks of translucency and layering are endemic to watercolors. Working under Funderburk, Trest refined his techniques and fostered a passion for artistic experimentation. Trest firmly believes that creating art is an unending voyage of discovery and creative boundary expansion.

Trest’s latest works are distinguished by their vivid colors and elaborate patterns, representing a significant evolution from his initial focus on traditional portraiture and house paintings to the dynamic and symbolic expressions he now masterfully renders on canvas. Trest’s primary medium is acrylic on canvas or board, and occasionally, acrylic and ink on paper. His adept handling of acrylics layers depth and complexity into each piece. His meticulous brushwork and composition balance the vibrancy of nature with a serene, grounded narrative.

I am telling my story through visual clues, but once I hand the piece over to the collector they will connect their own story to the subjects, and that is when the art really has staying power.

His subject matter is organic, he paints the things that have meaning for him, and in doing so, he hopes his collectors will find their own meaning in the work. A pelican, a doe, a beautiful flower, or some other animal or floral, each element and subject of Trest’s work is chosen carefully, meticulously researched, and artfully depicted.

His art, whether depicting the enchanting presence of a fox or a cardinal’s fleeting visit, aims to stir nostalgia and forge personal connections with the viewers through the themes depicted in his paintings.

More than just visual spectacles, Trest’s works are narrative tapestries, weaving vibrant hues, minute details, and complex patterns into stories that resonate with the essence of childhood and memory. They capture the mood, atmosphere, and spirit of the region, reflecting his deep connection to and understanding of his native landscape. His paintings are not just seen; they are felt, as his subjects and scenes intentionally trigger memories in the viewer and allow them to connect with the work in the context of their own lives.

“I had this magical Southern childhood, like it was out of a novel. Growing up, there was a fox den 200-feet behind our back door. As a child, it is a magical thing to see a fox running around in a field behind your house. Now, when I see a fox, I know it’s going to be a good day. In my work, I seek to capture that magical feeling I feel when seeing a fox.”

Trest’s process is highly planned and thoughtful, laid out in meticulous detail within one of his leather-bound sketchbooks, which is still always at hand. Within their pages, Trest fleshes out ideas, chooses color palettes, collects color swatches, and draws detailed sketches of each of his original paintings. “I do not sketch or draw anything out on a canvas,” he tells me. Explaining this process, Trest shares: “I have three young children, so time in my studio is very precious. While the kids are doing homework or reading, I pull out my sketchbook and work. By knowing the composition and sketching it out on a sketchbook I am able to figure out the placements on the canvas before I ever pick up a brush.”

A menagerie of compositions, Trest’s art invites viewers into a world where nature reigns supreme and reflects Trest’s profound bond with his surroundings and the community that has nurtured his talent. “The work that I create now is the work that I love to create, but this is what my sketchbooks looked like as a ten-year-old,” Trest reflects, underscoring the authenticity and passion that infuse his work. His commitment to originality is unwavering, as he believes that “original artwork should be experimentation. You should always be pushing yourself to try something new or different. Every piece you create should be an original thought and pushing and challenging yourself.”

Trest gained critical acclaim through museum showings at the MAX Museum, shows at MSU, and gallery shows across the gulf coast. His first solo museum show, titled “Mississippi Lost + Found,” led to the creation of region specific pieces that celebrate all corners of Mississippi. He is currently working to adapt this collection to educational materials to be used in every classroom in Mississippi.

Trest’s artistic journey transcends fine art; his mission is to democratize his art, offering prints at accessible prices, thereby ensuring that his creations can uplift spirits and rekindle cherished memories. Trest has expertly delved into the world of wallpaper and fabric design, and collaborating with companies that mirror his standards and ethos, has even designed tile, stationary, and needlepoint, transforming his original pieces into distinctive decorative elements for homes. His unwavering commitment to storytelling is evident across various mediums.

As Trest prepares to launch a line of wallpaper, transforming his original works into unique statements that celebrate color and storytelling, one can’t help but sense the beginning of a new chapter in his artistic journey. His work, rooted in the nostalgia and beauty of the Southern experience, continues to evolve, yet the essence remains unchanged—a heartfelt tribute to the world that shaped him, and a beacon for those who find joy and meaning in the simple, magical moments of life. “Every way that I use my work is in furtherance of connecting with the stories and memories that people hold dear,” says Trest, encapsulating the spirit that makes his art not just a visual feast, but a gateway to the cherished narratives of our lives.

Trest’s name is well-known not only by art critics, but more widely. Fellow Mississippian and artist, Laurel native, and close friend Erin Napier, along with her husband Ben Napier, are patrons of Trest’s art, which they have featured on their wildly popular, HGTV renovation show, Hometown. The show, like Trest’s work, is about celebrating Mississippi and the local community, and it has put Laurel on the map as a destination for tourism and a blueprint for historic preservation. Trest has been featured on the show as an artist and had a home renovated for him on the show. He even designed a wallpaper for the home he now lives in, which Ben and Erin originally renovated for Trest’s aunt.

Achieving fame in his own right, Trest’s collaboration with Erin Napier, resulting in the New York Times bestselling “The Lantern House,” is a testament to his versatility and his ability to resonate with audiences of all ages. Trest has always seen himself as an illustrator, inviting viewers to weave their own narratives, to find reflections of their own lives within the vibrant hues and evocative imagery. “I see my work through the lens of an illustrator. I am telling my story through visual clues, but once I hand the piece over to the collector they will connect their own story to the subjects, and that is when the art really has staying power,” Trest explains. This philosophy extends to every facet of his work, whether it’s a whimsical tile in a backsplash or a grand mural, each creation is a piece of a larger narrative, a fragment of a shared memory or a cherished dream.

The short drive to Trest’s quaint and inviting hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, is worth the trip. You can find Trest’s original art at Laurel’s delightful Caron Gallery South, which represents Mississippi art and artists, and where his wife, Lily Trest, is curator and co-owner. His original art is also available through his website adamtrest.com, where you can also access his canvas prints, prints on paper, wallpaper, and fabric, as well as his needlepoint, stationery, and tile collaborations.

Brushstrokes