Granddad rode up. lifted Me up on his horse Dan.
Right then, I became a cowboy.
Left to right: Jack with his horse; Jack's grandparents; Jack at five years old; Jack's mother with great grandparents
Gotta thank Mom & my Grandmother who painted pictures. It looked like living magic to me.
Inspired by my grandfather, a cowboy who rode on some of the last great cattle drives of the West. And my grandmother who painted the landscapes of and people of West Texas. I began my art career as a young child. With much encouragement from my parents and family I pursued my dream of being a Western painter.
Between Cowboys and Canvases, was my passion and by the age of 16 had won over 130 awards in art. At 26 my big break came.
I was named Bicentennial Artist of Texas. I had a one-man show in the Texas Capitol Rotunda and was commissioned to paint the late President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Real World of Art and Living the Cowboy Life.
"You got to live it, to paint it." That is what I was taught. I have been incredibly fortunate to experience the friendship and one on one inspiration and training by many great painters. A lot of my subjects are friends of mine. On trail drives moving cattle, round-ups and the full blooded experience of seeing some of nature's magnificence from horseback is what moves me. My pictures span from recreating authentic western history moments, to landscapes, Victorian images, street scenes and portraits. Talking with my paintbrush and taking people to a breathtaking moment on canvas is my passion.
Left to right: Jack presenting a painting to George W. Bush. Jack greeting Governor Ann Richards. Jack in studio
Here's more of my history
School of Hard Knocks
Painters studied:
Studied Melvin Warren for understanding of human and equine anatomy
James Boren with assistance on light and mood
Howard Terpning on conveying a story
Edouard Cortes methods of capturing light on canvas
Tutored by Porfirio Salinas and Dalhart Windberg on painting landscapes
Formal Education
University of Texas
Collectors
Some of Jack's collectors include:
The King Ranch, ExxonMobil, Dick Clark, Burt Reynolds, Travis Tritt,
PGA Champion Hal Sutton, Rodeo World Champion Larry Mahan,
Governor Ann Richards, President George W. Bush,
Lyndon B. Johnson Library - Named Bicentennial Artist in Texas
Some of the Books Written and/or Illustrated by Jack
The Great Trail Ride
Child of Promise
Friend to Friend
A Cowboy's Faith
Reflections of a Horseman
Prayers Along The Trail
Wide Open Spaces
Good Ol' Cowboy Stories
Good Ol' Cowgirl Stories
Special Commissions:
The 1st Air Cavalry Division of the United States Army, Fort Hood, Texas
commissioned Jack Terry to paint a portrait depicting the historical heroic efforts of
American soldiers from charging Calvary to Vietnam to Afghanistan.
