Lazy Afternoon
(Self-portrait with cat)
Oil on canvas board
Terry Southwood was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains at Canmore, Alberta. Other than occasional sketching, his life-long interest in art remained untapped while he worked as an engineer and then entrepreneur.
Even after retiring early, several years passed before Terry started painting in the spring of 2000. He chose oils and fell in love with the medium. Instead of taking formal instruction, Terry went to the library, and began reading a multitude of books on painting — many of them written by some of the greatest artists of our time. So although he may be “self-taught”, Terry feels their books allow him to learn from the best.
He finds many subjects fascinating, but above all else Terry likes to paint people. Not just portraits, but people. People working, people playing, people as part of the world around them. The possibilities are endless.
Terry now lives in Calgary with his wife Catherine.
He is a member of the Canmore Artists and Artisans Guild (CAAG), and is currently their gallery scheduling coordinator and webmaster.
Terry's paintings may be seen at the Canmore Public Art Gallery, the Canmore Hospital Art Gallery, the Leighton Art Centre south of Calgary, or his own Portfolio.
I've always though of art as a journey.
That said, my last couple of years have largely been spent “wandering in the desert” with little production and lots of self-doubt.
But that seems to have come to an end now, and things are moving forward again, at least in my own mind.
Strange pastime this painting business!