From painting in Laurel, Mississippi, to reaching millions of viewers on HGTV’s “Home Town,” Mississippi State University alumnus Adam Trest has turned a lifelong passion for art into a career shaped by creativity and community.

Trest, an artist based in Laurel, Mississippi, graduated from Mississippi State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. Though he always loved art, turning that passion into a full-time career required years of work, both in and out of the studio.

“I have loved art from the moment I could hold a crayon,” Trest said. “I was blessed with unbelievably supportive parents who saw my desire to create and gave me every opportunity to explore that passion.”

After graduating and returning to Laurel, Trest said he realized building a career in art would require learning skills far beyond painting

“Choosing a career outside the traditional occupations means learning about business, marketing and accounting,” Trest said. “I vowed to do any job I could find that was even remotely adjacent to art.”

That meant painting portraits, teaching art lessons, designing t-shirts and building theatrical sets. Trest also volunteered his artistic skills to local nonprofit organizations, a decision he says ultimately opened doors in his career.

“The decision to give back to my community led to opportunities that eventually became something bigger,” Trest said.

As for his work, Trest describes his art as “whimsical,” a label he once resisted but now wholeheartedly embraces.

“Things that are whimsical usually mean that my work brought joy to someone,” Trest said. “That is the greatest compliment I can think of.”

His art gained broader recognition after being featured on “Home Town,” an HGTV show set in Laurel that highlights local renovations and craftsmanship. According to Trest, the series, which stars Ben Napier and Erin Napier as they restore homes, showcases contributions from diverse community members, from plumbers and tile installers to artists like him.

“The show does an amazing job of celebrating what people in our community do,” Trest said.

The exposure has helped Trest reach an audience far beyond Mississippi, with collectors visiting his studio in Laurel and galleries shipping his paintings across the country and internationally. Trest even collaborated with Erin Napier on a children’s book called “The Lantern House,” which features his illustrations and remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks.

Trest’s growing reputation has also led to international opportunities like exhibiting at the Venice Biennale. Held every two years in Venice, Italy, the exhibition lets artists from around the world showcase contemporary art.

David Lewis, a Mississippi State alumnus and director of the Mississippi Arts Commission in Jackson, said in an email that artists like Trest play a key role in shaping how Mississippi’s creative culture is perceived globally. Lewis added that when their work reaches audiences beyond the state, it strengthens Mississippi’s artistic legacy and influence.

Trest’s work is gaining an international audience, but it has already resonated with viewers like gallery owner Cayman Clevenger of Orleans Gallery by Louisiana Art in New Orleans. Clevenger said in an email that Trest’s paintings stood out immediately, noting that his use of patterns, simple forms and familiar color palettes creates images with deeper meaning.

“A great artist develops a unique voice, something you can recognize from across the room,” Clevenger wrote. “Adam has done that, and he’s constantly pushing himself to experiment and expand his visual language.”

Another gallery owner, Kim Caron, owner of Caron Gallery in Tupelo, Mississippi, has also worked closely with Trest and said in an email that his vision and work ethic have helped him build a strong connection with audiences.

Caron first encountered Trest through his growing presence online and at local events. The two later met at the Mississippi Mercantile in Jackson, and Caron Gallery has since featured many of Trest’s works. Caron said that Trest’s artistic vision has remained consistent as his career has grown.

“He has always had a vision for where the next steps should be. Adam is very intentional about what should be created next and pushes the boundaries of what it should look like,” Caron wrote. “Each step leads to a new and beautiful theme, but still remaining faithful to his style.”

Despite growing recognition, those who work with Trest say his personality and commitment to the arts community remain central to his success.

Lewis says that Trest uses his work to inspire communities to reminisce on memories from home.

“Adam has been unstoppable in his pursuit of capturing personal stories through his meaningful artistic work in everything he touches. From paintings for friends’ nurseries to storied custom tilework to arts festival poster designs, Adam’s work captures any audience and inspires viewers to recall memories and think about home,” Lewis wrote.

Clevenger also spoke about Trest’s commitment to community.

“He’s humble and down to earth and genuinely supportive of the arts community,” Clevenger wrote. “All it takes is for people to see his work, and they connect with it.”

Caron seconded that Trest remains committed to telling relatable, intentional stories like the “Home Town” series as a whole.

“‘Home Town’ has impacted so many of the residents, not just in Laurel but our entire state. It has showcased talented artists, craftsmen and beautiful families. Adam’s connection to these people has inspired him to create artwork that speaks to their deepest emotions — but also allowing the viewers of the show to feel very connected to the stories that unfold in each episode he’s involved in,” Caron wrote.

Looking ahead, Trest said he has several projects underway, including a new children’s book, upcoming gallery collections and new products expected to launch later this year. He has more paintings to create and more stories to tell.