Terry Isaac is a native Northwesterner, living in his birth place of Salem, Oregon where he paints wildlife and landscapes of North America. Many of his paintings feature birds such as hummingbirds and goldfinches.

Although Isaac, who paints in acrylic, received a formal art education, graduating with honors, he believes his best training has come from being outdoors and from studying the work of his favorite wildlife artists. Isaac particularly admires the art of 19th-century painters Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt.

Isaac has been selected to participate in several important art exhibitions, including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's annual "Birds in Art" exhibitions. He was also commissioned to produce 14 waterfowl drawings for the 1987 Audubon Bird Handbook.

Terry Isaac's original intention with his art talent was to pursue it part-time because of lacking confidence in earning enough money to make a living. He became a high school art teacher for eight years, having studied at the University of Oregon and a college of education in Monmouth, Oregon near Salem. There he earned his teaching certificate and secondary education bachelor's degree. During this time, he successfully entered Duck and Fish Stamp competitions, which built his confidence on being a full-time artist. Of particular inspiration to him was the work of wildlife artist, Robert Bateman. In 1987, he attended a workshop of Bateman's, who upon seeing Isaac's work, became very encouraging. With Bateman's recommendation, representatives of Mill Pond Press began publishing prints of Isaac's work. This attention became the motivation for Isaac to devote all of his energy to his artwork, and in 1988, he officially made that commitment by resigning from his teaching position. Several years later, he and Bateman were teaching together in a workshop at the Beartooth School of Art in Montana.

From childhood he had obvious art talent, and did much drawing of animals or copying of nature pictures from books. His father died when Isaac was two years old, but his uncle spent much time hunting with him and tramping around in the outdoors. From these experiences, he took much of his subject matter and appreciating for wildlife that he later depicted in his finished paintings. Also a highschool art teacher inspired and encouraged his talent. Of her he said: "She would set up still lifes with old corn husks, some pots and pans, sunflowers or driftwood". (Scott-Blair 15)

Today, (2007) Terry Isaac continues to expand his travels and his subject matter, which increasingly focuses on landscapes as well as animals and birds.


Sources include:
Michael Scott-Blair, "Magical Moments Defined by Light", Wildife Art, April 2007
World Wide Art

Terry Allen Isaac of Penticton, BC died on July 16, 2019 at the age of 60 years. Terry will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Kathleen, ex-wife Connie, mother Patricia (Vern) and adopted father Jerry (Mary-Anne), children Emily, Lucas, Daniel, and Evan, as well as his brother Ron (Victoria). He was sadly predeceased by his father.

Edward Terry will be remembered not only as a great artist but as a teacher and mentor who taught others to look at wildlife and nature in a special way. Those closest to him will recall his kind and humble nature and his soft heart. He always saw the good in everyone he met.

Source: Providence Funeral Homes Online Obituary

Submitted by: David Wilkinson