Lauded for his poetic portraits, Terry Gardner draws his inspiration from legendary surroundings – historic ranches and ancient groves – expressing the mystery and intrigue of the subjects and their present power that will eventually fade in time.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Terry Gardner was born and raised in Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Arts from Maryville University. He moved west to paint the outdoors and develop an intimate relationship with the land and life of the west. Shortly after moving to Colorado he studied with Mark Daily and Quang Ho at the Art Students League of Denver. Gardner’s compositions are born from his surroundings but evolve in his studio to a place that is darker and deeper, a place where mystery and contemplation are nurtured. With each of his pieces he aims to open a dialogue for viewers while making a subtle statement about urgent issues facing the West.
"Every painting is an emotional investment depicting the intimate corners of the American West," shares Terry Gardner. Some are close to home, some are high in the mountains, but all capture the spirit of th"e surroundings. I am most interested in expressing the mystery and intrigue of the subjects, their connections to the past, and their present power that will eventually fade in time. The mysterious and ethereal qualities I invoke in the paintings are intended to invite contemplation. From drawings and studies are born paintings, and what is reflected are modern, compassionate images of a place I love, the American West."
Terry has been devoted to fine art from a young age. He has balanced a career in the commercial arts and fine arts industry for many years. With the arrival of triplets in 2002, the advertising industry took lead to support his family, although he continued to participate in many regional and national shows, including Oil Painters of America, The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and seventeen consecutive years at the Coors National Western Show in Denver. His work hangs in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe.
In an interview with Coors Western Art Show, Gardner spoke about his perspective on the West and how his paintings relate. "The West is a mirror in which America sees itself, and each painting is a reflection, an invitation for contemplation. I paint the American West through a veil of mystery, from the ranches of the high plains to the evergreens along rocky peaks. Everything is connected and everything is temporary, yet the actions of today will be waiting for the next generation. The west is at a crossroads, again, perhaps always. With every scene, with every subject, an idea is expressed encouraging contemplation of the changing face of the American West."
He has received several awards including the Little Jewel Award for Plein Aire work in Tucson, the Award of Excellence from the editors of Southwest Art magazine, Best of Show Award at Wrightstone Fine Arts Center, and Best Oil in Las Vegas Arts Council. He was the Featured Artist at the 2019 Coors National Western Show in Denver.
