Near Christmas Tree Lake 2001

Editor: This is Larry Stark's "Near Christmas Tree Lake," a print of some kind. The colors are so cheerful, but there's also a hint of melancholy, maybe because of the bare branches mixed with the full leaves. What do you make of this forest scene? Curator: Well, it feels like a memory, doesn't it? Stark isn't just showing us trees; he's giving us a feeling of a specific place, a specific time of year. Do you get a sense of stillness, a quietness? Editor: Definitely. It's like that moment when summer is fading, and you know change is coming. Curator: Exactly! And I think that's what gives it that bittersweet edge. A peaceful observation of nature. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It makes me appreciate the quiet beauty even more. Curator: Art has that power; it makes us slow down and really see the world around us.