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In Terry Gardner’s paintings, observation is the beginning of everything. Garner seeks connection with his subjects, looking beyond what immediately presents itself – a tree, a ranch hand, a flock of crow. The artist dives deeper – how does this foreman or apprentice do his job, and what does his personality bring to it? Why is this tree a celebrity amongst a forest, or a destination of its own? What is the mystique of a murder of crows and why do they gather?
In Impressions, Gardner presents new work that looks closely at the character of the natural and working landscapes around him. We asked him what draws him to these subjects—and what he discovers when he takes the time to really look.
You have described some of the trees you paint as “celebrity trees” — trees that have a particular presence or have become recognizable landmarks in the landscape. What is it about a particular tree that makes you want to give it that kind of attention? And when you painted The Quaking Aspen, The Bend of the Bristlecone and Evergreens on Shrine Trail, what drew you to each one?
TERRY GARDNER: Trees, like humans, have personalities and distinct features that pique my interest, and the desire to paint them. From the bends of branches to the varying shades of green, there is so much to uncover about our arbor friends. People see more shades of green than any other color. Those shades are intriguing and vary greatly from a forest of pines to an isolated aspen. I have been exploring a range of greens, going as far as taking little generated color swatches into the woodlands to see what matches, or captures their personality. Layers and texture are also important to my work, providing depth and complexities that help describe the character of the trees.
The cowboy portraits in the exhibition each seem to suggest a distinct character — The Adventurer, The Foreman, The Apprentice amongst them. What drew you to these different personalities, and what were you hoping to capture in each portrait? Is there anything you want to share about the small size?
TERRY GARDNER: The wrangler series is also about personalities. They are ranch hands but so much more, and their unique styles and approaches to work becomes evident upon observation. They lead lives on the vast ranches but like all of us, have lives beyond the day-to-day work, and the two intersect. Each end everyone of them are very different. The small paintings, just eight inches, was a first for me and that was purposeful, to punctuate the intimacy and individuality of each cowboy or cowgirl.
With Summer Crows, you’ve introduced a subject we haven’t seen from you in quite the same way before. What sparked your interest in painting crows, and what did you discover about the subject as you worked on it?
TERRY GARDNER: Remaining on the thought of personalities, crows too, have distinct temperaments. Over time I have developed a deep respect and appreciation for their presence, and the accompanying sounds they make. Like the wranglers, observation helps to understand these black birds. They are unique and have a hierarchy within their social structure that is a mystery, and my paintings might capture more of the mystery than their unique personalities.
