Howard Terpning
Terpning’s works are centered around what you’d call the wild west. They are historical records of the culture, way of life, and religion of the Northern Plains Indians in a more contemporary style relevant to recent times.
An exceptional ability to evoke emotion both in his paintings and from those viewing them
Quite simply, Howard Terpning is one of the most lauded painters of Western art. His awards are numerous; including the highest prizes awarded to Western art: countless awards from the Cowboy Artists of America, the Hubbard Art Award for Excellence, the National Academy of Western Art’s Prix de West and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gene Autry Museum. Why such praise? Passion, compassion, devotion and respect for his subject matter, extraordinary talent in palette and brushstroke, an exceptional ability to evoke emotion both in his paintings and from those viewing them — all this and more has made Terpning the “Storyteller of the Native American.”
Born in Illinois and educated at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the American Academy of Art, he first gained attention from some powerful Time and Newsweek covers. Film fans praised his movie posters for such classics as The Sound of Music, Dr. Zhivago and the re-issue of Gone with the Wind. But his love of the West and Native American traditions saw his transition to fine art. Terpning is a long-time member of the Cowboy Artists of America, which has presented him with Gold and Silver awards, “Best of Show” awards, and “Best Overall Show by a Single Artist” awards more than two dozen times. His book, The Art of Howard Terpning won the Wrangler “Outstanding Art Book” award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Terpning’s works are centered around what you’d call the wild west. They are historical records of the culture, way of life, and religion of the Northern Plains Indians in a more contemporary style relevant to recent times.
Born on November 5, 1927, Howard Terpning was educated at the Chicago Academy for the Arts and later at the American Academy of Art College.
In 1977, he moved to Tucson to dedicate his time to record the culture and the history of the Native Americans.
Howard Terpning’s illustrious art career spans more than seven decades both as a painter and an illustrator. He is a living master of western art.
Howard Terpning started his commercial art career as an apprentice under Haddon Sundblom, eventually freelancing. His art was featured in various prestigious magazines.
In a profession spanning 25 years, Howard Terpning gained attention with his illustrations, both editorial and advertising. He also did close to 80 movie posters during this period, the most famous of which is “The Guns of Navarone,” “The Sound of Music,” “Dr. Zhivago,” and a re-issue of “Gone with the Wind”.
Amid his commercial success, he was invited by the Marines as their civilian combat artist. He produced six works of art that are currently present in the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Terpning being a major, saw everything firsthand, including the suffering of the Americans and of the enemies. This empathy later transferred to the Native American who was hurting at the hands of the settlers who coveted their lands.
Gaining his first success through his posters and illustrations, Howard Terpning turned his attention to fine art in the 1970s, fueled by his love of western art.
Intrigued with the West and Native American culture, Howard Terpning moved to Arizona to further his occupation and master the craft. In just two years, he established himself in his fine art career.
His historical accuracy and technical prowess are the foundations for his artwork. You can often see items from Terpning’s personal collection of Indian artifacts interspersed in his paintings. They not just tell a story but are also an accurate depiction of their history, lifestyle, and culture.
In Terpning’s own words, “The American Indian fascinates me. The more I study them, the more intrigued I become. There’s always another story waiting to be told.”
Over a period of 40 years, he produced over 500 works, including charcoal drawings of the free-spirited tribes of the Great Plains of America, hence the name “The Storyteller of the Native American.”
Quite simply, Howard Terpning is one of the most lauded painters of Western art. His awards are numerous; including the highest prizes awarded to Western art: countless awards from the Cowboy Artists of America, the Hubbard Art Award for Excellence, the National Academy of Western Art’s Prix de West and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gene Autry Museum. Why such praise? Passion, compassion, devotion and respect for his subject matter, extraordinary talent in palette and brushstroke, an exceptional ability to evoke emotion both in his paintings and from those viewing them — all this and more has made Terpning the “Storyteller of the Native American.”
Born in Illinois and educated at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the American Academy of Art, he first gained attention from some powerful Time and Newsweek covers. Film fans praised his movie posters for such classics as The Sound of Music, Dr. Zhivago and the re-issue of Gone with the Wind. But his love of the West and Native American traditions saw his transition to fine art. Terpning is a long-time member of the Cowboy Artists of America, which has presented him with Gold and Silver awards, “Best of Show” awards, and “Best Overall Show by a Single Artist” awards more than two dozen times. His book, The Art of Howard Terpning won the Wrangler “Outstanding Art Book” award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Terpning’s works are centered around what you’d call the wild west. They are historical records of the culture, way of life, and religion of the Northern Plains Indians in a more contemporary style relevant to recent times.
Born on November 5, 1927, Howard Terpning was educated at the Chicago Academy for the Arts and later at the American Academy of Art College.
In 1977, he moved to Tucson to dedicate his time to record the culture and the history of the Native Americans.
Howard Terpning’s illustrious art career spans more than seven decades both as a painter and an illustrator. He is a living master of western art.
Howard Terpning started his commercial art career as an apprentice under Haddon Sundblom, eventually freelancing. His art was featured in various prestigious magazines.
In a profession spanning 25 years, Howard Terpning gained attention with his illustrations, both editorial and advertising. He also did close to 80 movie posters during this period, the most famous of which is “The Guns of Navarone,” “The Sound of Music,” “Dr. Zhivago,” and a re-issue of “Gone with the Wind”.
Amid his commercial success, he was invited by the Marines as their civilian combat artist. He produced six works of art that are currently present in the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Terpning being a major, saw everything firsthand, including the suffering of the Americans and of the enemies. This empathy later transferred to the Native American who was hurting at the hands of the settlers who coveted their lands.
Gaining his first success through his posters and illustrations, Howard Terpning turned his attention to fine art in the 1970s, fueled by his love of western art.
Intrigued with the West and Native American culture, Howard Terpning moved to Arizona to further his occupation and master the craft. In just two years, he established himself in his fine art career.
His historical accuracy and technical prowess are the foundations for his artwork. You can often see items from Terpning’s personal collection of Indian artifacts interspersed in his paintings. They not just tell a story but are also an accurate depiction of their history, lifestyle, and culture.
In Terpning’s own words, “The American Indian fascinates me. The more I study them, the more intrigued I become. There’s always another story waiting to be told.”
Over a period of 40 years, he produced over 500 works, including charcoal drawings of the free-spirited tribes of the Great Plains of America, hence the name “The Storyteller of the Native American.”