Inspired by Portugal’s illustrative tiles, Adam Trest has created visual stories with his new collection, “Azul”. Each piece embodies his trademarked folk style and is ready for your home.
Season of Growth
"I originally was inspired by the colors and textures I found in the beautiful tile and ceramic work we saw while traveling through Portugal. Every city we went through gave me a new insight into how the Portuguese people used tiles and these beautiful blue glazes to adorn their buildings both inside and out. As I processed through my sketches and photos from the trip on our flight home, I realized that I really wanted these pieces to do more than just replicate the style of the art that I saw, but instead I wanted to capture the culture that I experienced. The pieces became more about a slower pace and the celebration of enjoying life."
Boy Tile
Girl Tile
"As I got further into the collection, I realized that I was making connections of that slower pace, not only for the Portuguese people, but I was juxtaposing my own life and remembering the times from my childhood when I experienced that for myself."
Sowing and Reaping
"Anytime you choose a single color and create a piece using just that one tone, there are challenges. Painting in a single tone is similar to painting in black and white. Instead of variations of color, the work has to become about the contrast. Then when you multiply that one painting by a whole collection, the challenge to maintain that contrast throughout the entire collection increases the difficulty. Finding the balance of positive and negative space, while still figuring out how to convey neutrals and highlights in a single tone has made this series a very fun and interesting challenge."
Homecoming
Adam's aim was to explore and honor the uncomplicated essence of life through this collection. The artworks depict an entire year in a rural setting, with detailed narratives portrayed on canvas and simpler interpretations captured in studies. These studies have been painted in the style of the tiles he and Lily encountered during their travels, which adorned the interiors of various buildings.
Meet in the Middle