We had the good fortune of connecting with Terry McNaughton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terry, how do you think about risk?
Everything I’ve done has been a risk. Starting a hobby shop in tiny town in rural Manitoba was huge risk. Something I always wanted to do and tried it. Kept up with my creative side painting my Pop Art pieces. Doing something totally different from societal norms is very risky.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art I feel is unique. I draw inspiration from the everyday. Whether it is discarded papers, items or very interesting objects. Art should captivate the viewer. Draw one into the story or ideas before them. Great art does that. People look at things for thirty seconds. We artists have a limited timeframe to get an ideas and emotion across. Viewers immediately love or hate my work. I try to be bolder each new creation. I love colours and images out of the ordinary. Pop Art is for the masses and to be consumed. Not to match your drapes ! The image will distract you, but your mind will come back to it later. That’s good art !
Biggest challenge is getting ones art out there. You have to keep trying. I’ve done every type of work to pay the bills. Building houses, renovating, cleaning sewers, retail world. Keep going no matter what. Rejection builds you.
Life is fodder for creation.

 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My area is limited in attraction. Lol. I live in a small community of 400 people on the Canadian prairies. Distance to anywhere is the deciding factor in amusement. I enjoy the peace and quiet here. Very safe community.
There is no light pollution around here, at night you can see all the stars gloriously. Hear coyotes in the distant. You don’t get that in cities.
Lots of parks and lakes around here for swimming and boating. Small restaurants in neighbouring towns are good. Big city of Winnipeg is three and half hours away. Lots of music venues, restaurants, and great art galleries there. If you like the wilds and camping this is it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Mother when she was alive believed in me. I had a hard life in many ways and was always there for me. My daughter Shannique has helped with the train side in shows we did. Always someone that I could talk with in difficult times. I’ve always derived inspiration from biographies. Either in movies or books. Past artists and their struggles are an inspiration.

Website: Pop Art by Terry McNaughton on Facebook

Instagram: McNaughtonTerry

Facebook: Terry McNaughton. West Railway Studios.

Other: On Tik Tok. Terry McNaughton.

Image Credits
Terry McNaughton

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