Terry Gardner

Biography

Terry Gardner began his career in St. Louis balancing commercial and fine art. Early western films and television deeply influenced his interest in the American West. He moved to Colorado early in his career and eventually he parted from advertising to pursue painting full time. Gardner credits his growth as an artist, more than college or the commercial art industry, to Quang Ho and Mark Daily. He studied with both of these accomplished artists 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 deeper, where mystery and contemplation are nurtured. His paintings are expressive and ethereal with color selections intended to encourage dialogue.

Gardner has exhibited work throughout the west for 20 years. In 2019 he was the featured artist at the Coors National Western Art Exhibit in Denver. He has participated in this event for eighteen consecutive years. His work has been featured by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricutlural Land Trust, raising awareness and support for conserving Colorado’s western heritage. His paintings are in collections throughout the United States and Europe. He currently lives and works in Morrison, Colorado.

“Every painting is an emotional investment depicting the intimate corners and subjects of the American West. Some are close to home, some are high in the mountains, and some are shaped concepts influenced by actions of the past. I am most interested in expressing the mystery and intrigue of subjects, where the actions of the past meet the influences of today.

The mysterious and ethereal qualities I invoke in paintings are intended to invite contemplation. I am an expressive tonalist, where values and colors come from the soul to engage with meaningful brushstrokes. Paintings are born from drawings and color studies and through this process what is reflected, is a relationship of a place I love, the American West.”

Recent Exhibits and Shows
2004- 2025 Coors National Western Art Exhibit, Denver, CO
2024 All Colorado Show, Curtis Center for the Arts
2022 One Person Show, Victory Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM
2022 Ann Korologos Gallery, Two Person Show, Basalt, CO
2021 National Crow Show, San Diego, CA
2021 Ann Korologos Gallery, Group Show, Basalt, CO

Recent Awards and Honors
Featured Artist Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust 2019 – 2021
Featured Artist Coors Western Art Exhibit 2019

Galleries:
Ann Korologos Gallery, Basalt, CO
Breckenridge Gallery, Breckenridge, CO
Victory Contemporary Gallery, Santa Fe, NM