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.
Terry Gardner
Terry Gardner: Western Mysteries, Intimate Views is a solo exhibition showcasing the moody palettes and loose brushstrokes of Terry Gardner as he races to capture disappearing realities and values of the Old West, so they may not be forgotten. On view August 7 to August 28, 2019 at Ann Korologos Gallery in historic downtown Basalt.
Gardner’s latest series examines the stereotypes and misunderstandings of ranchers of the American West, working to show them in their element, as lone, anonymous figures as he experiences them in the modern day. “Cowboys are one with the land and the outdoors, and the time they spend outdoors can hardly be matched,” reflects Gardner.
As Terry dives into these historical aspects and their modern intersections, he brings his collectors along on the journey. He has a special eye for illuminating characters and characteristics of the West that are both familiar and forgotten. He is fascinated by Western themes such as mining, cattle ranching, and the spirit of adventure. As an artist, his palette and technique are constantly evolving, keeping pace with his own personal experiences and discoveries. As he describes, he is present with his subjects, “breathing the same air.”
“It has been a pleasure to follow Terry’s journey and learn through his thoughtful introspections,” shares gallery owner, Ann Korologos. “This year, he was selected as the 2019 Coors Featured Artist, a well-deserved accolade. He is continuously exploring his subjects and style, and this new series is no exception. His palette has evolved, and the warmer colors reflect the mood in which he sees his subjects, perhaps with a bit of hope, and certainly with nostalgia.”
Terry Gardner was born and raised in Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Arts from Maryville University. He moved to Colorado to paint the outdoors and develop an intimate relationship with the land and life of the West. 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.
Gardner has received the Little Jewel Award for Plein Air work in Tucson and the Award of Excellence from the editors of Southwest Art magazine. He has been included in Oil Painters of America, The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and has been invited for fifteen consecutive years to exhibit at the Coors National Western Exhibition and Sale in Denver, and was selected as the Featured Artist in 2019.
Terry Gardner: Western Mysteries, Intimate Views will remain on view through August 28, 2019, complemented by an array of other contemporary Western artists represented by Ann Korologos Gallery. For more information, please visit the gallery at 211 Midland Ave in Basalt, call 970-927-9668, or inquire online at art@korologosgallery.com.
