Aviles Street 

Editor: So, this is "Aviles Street," an oil painting, possibly *en plein air*, by John Michael Carter. It’s just such a lovely little cityscape, full of light and shadow. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: Light, absolutely. The dappled light feels so true to a sunny afternoon, doesn’t it? It reminds me of how fleeting moments can feel like whole lifetimes. Do you notice how the light shapes the road, almost as a river flowing out? Editor: Yes! The way the shadows sort of pull you into the painting. Is that a typical Impressionist technique? Curator: In a way. Impressionism is about capturing a moment, a sensation. Carter here uses light and shadow not just to depict the street but to evoke a feeling of quiet observation, a moment held still. Have you ever just stood on a street and watched the day unfold? It’s like that. The blurring gives room to the imagination... the cobblestones are present without needing perfect realistic portrayal. Editor: It’s almost dreamlike! I imagine wandering down this street and stumbling into another time. Curator: Precisely! And isn’t that the magic of art? To transport us, even for a little while? Perhaps it reminds the artist himself of something? What sort of magic does it work for you? Editor: It’s incredible how a simple street scene can hold so much emotion and possibility. Curator: Absolutely, this painting reminds us of the potent stories waiting to be discovered in the simplest and sunniest of corners.