“A lot of the inspiration for my artwork goes back to childhood with time spent on my grandparents’ farm in Muncie,” explained Terry Armstrong. “There wasn’t any place you couldn’t go and see. We’d fish, and play in the woods all of the time. When I first became exposed to artists like Andrew Wyeth, I saw what you could really do with art.”

What Armstrong did with his art was to paint from life experiences and his love for nature. Using photographs he takes for reference, Armstrong’s watercolor paintings feature the nature and simple beauty of life in Indiana.

Having practiced his craft since a young age, this seasoned artist and his wife Mary now have a studio/gallery in their historic 1870s brick home located at 2277 E. 8 Square Rd. in Warsaw.

“My great-uncle was a professional artist with a big gallery in Chicago. My mother was an art teacher and encouraged me. I loved painting things I would see in books or in nature,” he said.

Armstrong grew up in Columbia City and graduated from IPFW with a degree in fine art and commercial art. An influential experience was the time he spent learning directly under Hoosier artist James McBride.

For 25 years, Armstrong worked in the commercial marketing department at Biomet before retiring to pursue watercolor painting full time. He also teaches watercolor classes at both Grace College and in his home studio.

“After working at Biomet during the day, I would always draw and paint at night. I always thought doing art full-time was something I wanted to do,” he explained.

After being accepted to feature his work at Castle Gallery in Fort Wayne and at the encouragement of friend and local clay artist John Bauman, Armstrong felt confident enough to convert his hobby into a career.

“With watercolor, I can paint with fine detail realistically, as well as more impressionist or abstract. Although my work is based off photos I take, it’s not necessarily photo realism, but a combination of several styles.

“When looking for subjects to capture, I’ll take my camera to the woods and find things that are often overlooked or have a high contrast of shadows and light.”

Armstrong’s work has captured many honors. In February, he took Best of Show in the Honeywell Center’s 92 County Art Show with his painting entitled “Amish Dairy Farm.” He is a member of the Lakeland Art Association in Warsaw, The Hoosier Salon in Indianapolis and the Indiana Artisan Program.

“There are very few people in my artwork. It’s almost impossible to recreate the things you see and hear in nature, but I try through my art. I’m always looking for those spots around here to recreate. I’m most comfortable in this setting.”

To learn more about Armstrong and his artwork, see his website www.terryarmstrong.net or call (574) 267-2209.