It’s clear to me when speaking to the famous equine artist Terry Kirkwood that there is so much more to her work than meets the eye! I have always admired her artistry skills and aspired to own one of the beautiful pieces – however having grasped just a little of the inspiration behind her work – the desire to own one is now even stronger. Read on to get a rare insight in to someone truly dedicated and passionate about our four legged friends...
You will doubtlessly recognise the striking style of a Terry Kirkwood painting – she exhibits at equestrian events around the country and also features heavily in the Gabriella Shaw Ceramics collection (www.gabriellashawceramics.com). “I have always loved horses,” is one of the first things Terry states. “When I was a tiny child I was put on a pony at my grandparent’s farm – I started drawing them very early on.” From here on, the path for Terry to follow was always clear. “At the age of 12 years old my friend’s mother saw some of my work and offered to buy a piece from me – she gave me 10 shillings for it and then bought another two because she liked it so much. That gave me my first sale and there is nothing like selling something to encourage you to do more!”
Pic. Supernova
Combining a love for horses with a love for art
Whilst Terry was growing up she dedicated as much time as she could to drawing horses. “I studied everything I could about horses,” she comments. “The anatomy of them, the way they moved, how they worked – I carried on training myself to get better.” At the age of 16 Terry got her ‘big break’, “I sent some of my work to my Aunt who really liked it and took them in to Harrods as they were setting up a gallery. They liked them and bought some from me for £3 each, then asked for more! I have been lucky in that I have always been able to sell my work – but it still thrills me every time anyone wants anything!”
After school Terry went to Glasgow School of Art where she studied for 5 years before becoming an art teacher. “The agreement with my father was that if I was allowed to go to art school, I had to teach – but I did really enjoy it, however I only ever did it part time to allow me to paint. I was then made redundant from one job and decided that I would start a business with my husband to sell my artwork and so started Dappled Designs 12 years ago.”
A lot of people were interested in Terry’s work and she began to sell the licence for her work to various companies including for use on table mats that were sold in John Lewis. Now, with the help of Colin – her husband and business partner, the business is going from strength to strength, and Terry’s work is very much in demand! “I have just sold 11 drawings for the new Dorchester Hotel at Ascot – it still makes me feel happy when people want to buy my art.”
Terry’s work can now be found internationally, “I was asked to supply prints to the American market through a mail order publication called Back in the Saddle and I have also sold 2000 equestrian prints to the French Market.”
Pic. Sails & Saddles
Why horses?
Whilst Terry never rode competitively – it is clear that she has a deep understanding and respect for horses. “I had a grey Arab mare for seven years called Psalm – she was truly wonderful and a great inspiration. In fact any of the grey Arabs in my work are all because of her. I still ride whenever I can but my lifestyle is a bit hectic so I don’t have that much time. My granddaughter is 8 years old and has started having lessons so I watch her when I can. For me my appreciation of horses is more about looking.”
As I think most people would agree the magnificence of horses is captured in each and every one of Terry’s paintings. “I find horses very spiritual creatures – they do something strange to a person,” comments Terry. “I can’t hear a horse go by the house without going to the window – I love being near them – they are majestic and have regal connotations.”
Moments to cherish
“I saw Bettina Hoy riding Ringwood Cockatoo at Thirlestane and she got a perfect 10 in the dressage,” says Terry. “At that moment she and the horse had melted in to each other and they were one creature – I have been privileged enough to see William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell in similar union with their animals and that is truly amazing. One of my paintings was inspired by Geoff Billington – ‘Supernova’ – I watched a demonstration with him and he was teaching a young horse – thirteen strides between fences and the impulsion was incredible – I rate all of these as special moments.”
A day in the life of Terry
“I don’t get up quite as early as I used to,” admits Terry. “But I tend to do a bit of housework and keeping up with correspondence – but the rest of my time is spent in my studio. I have just finished two pieces today but started those 3 months ago. Watercolours can be done on the same day but Oil Paintings take a lot longer. You have to build up layer upon layer of paint with adjustments and I use glazing techniques which take time. Occasionally I get something finished in a day and if I do it is amazing but I have developed a way of working very fast and then leaving it for a while to go back to because of day to day demands like grandchildren!”
Pic. Deco Divas at Ingliston Equestrian Centre
How does a Terry Kirkwood painting take shape?
“I do a lot of sketching and watercolours to begin with – imagine a concert pianist practising scales before his final piece – this is my way of warming up – keeping my fingers and wrists supple – Oil painting is physically exhausting so these exercises are very important.” Nearly all of Terry’s work is done from real life, “Occasionally I will work from photographs if I am doing a commission but virtually everything is done from real life when possible. I have many places I love to sketch – Blair and Blenheim are my favourite events – I also love HOYS and Olympia as I can get very close to the horses.”
A Spectacular highlight in Terry’s career
“I received a fantastic commission which was finished around two months ago. I was absolutely delighted to be asked to provide all the prints and originals for the new £17 million development at Ingliston Equestrian Centre in Renfrewshire which is now regarded as one of the finest facilities in Europe. Within the centre is an impressive new function suite decorated in Art Deco style and I provided three originals for this area, ‘Deco Divas’ being the main piece.”
Tackling challenges
“You have to constantly move on from one piece to the next. I have always challenged myself and am not always satisfied with my work. I am just about to start a painting of Royal Ascot that I have been planning for years but it is like a coffee percolator – good coffee takes time – you have to wait for the coffee to filter through and instant just doesn’t measure up!”
Terry’s all time favourite painting
“It has got to be Stubbs Whistlejacket – I often go and look at him in the National Gallery – it brings me back down to size. I have always wanted to do a life size painting – I will keep trying!”
Favourite horse to paint
“I love Tamarillo – he is my favourite horse ever, I have done a small painting of him before, but there are so many wonderful horses.”
Pic: Terry signing 'Mare & Foal' print for the American Market
Truly rewarding...
“It still makes me feel very humble that people want to buy my paintings,” states Terry. “I had a police woman and her husband on the stand and she had fallen in love with a painting which her husband bought - it was so emotional she was in tears! I have had that quite a few times which I always find astonishing. I get lots of thank you letters. To think that there are pieces of my art on walls all over the world is amazing – my father would be very pleased I think – it was worth him letting me go to art school after all!”
To find out more about Terry visit: www.terrykirkwood.co.uk – you can also meet her and see the works of art on her stand at Olympia.
|
