Terry Trambauer Norris,
Senior Painting Instructor

Terry works primarily in oils using the traditional techniques of the old masters, infusing them with a modern sensibility and vision.  After earning a degree of Bachelor of Fine Art from Atlanta College of Art, Terry began a dedicated search for a personal language that would express her developing vision. This led her to traditional realism with an emphasis on light and composition. Major influences are Chardin, Rembrandt, Whistler, Robert Henri, and Charles Hawthorne. Terry paints almost exclusively from life in order to capture mood and light. The atmosphere and physical presence of the subject are essential to the inspiration.

Terry’s work has been shown in national juried exhibitions, art festivals, and galleries, and has earned numerous awards. She has taught at the high school and college levels and conducted painting workshops and demonstrations. Terry currently teaches at Crealdé, where she served as Director of Painting and Drawing from 2001 to 2004. She is an exhibiting member of the Oil Painters of America.

Artist's Statement
"My still life paintings spring from contemplation of the beauty that I perceive in the visual world. The act of painting is a dialogue with nature, which I interpret according to an inner mood. The painting becomes a record of that experience, in which I seek out the universal qualities of balance and harmony to be found in all things, and communicate to the viewer what is already known on some level, but has perhaps been forgotten.

"I am often intrigued by the sight of an ordinary object sitting on a table. It may be the shape, colors, light, or gesture that first captures my attention. The object will resonate with a feeling or theme in my mind and become the catalyst for a painting idea. An onion, for example, may be simple and dignified or complex and flamboyant. Things are painted according to what they suggest to me at a particular time or over a length of time. I strive to communicate the presence of the eternal or timeless in the everyday objects of life.

"The still lifes are always painted directly from life. Through the presence of the object, I am able to be more sensitive to its form and capture subtle effects of light. I usually paint on small to medium size canvases or panels to preserve the intimacy of the moment portrayed and keep the objects no larger than life size. The paintings are executed in oils using a combination of direct painting and glazing techniques. They are characterized by the chiaroscuro effects of light and shadow often employed by the old masters to enhance the feeling of three dimensional form. The painting of still life enables maximum control of arrangement, light, and color, which have evolved into an expressive language for me, going beyond mere representation."

Awards & Grants
Professional Development Grant, United Arts of Central Florida, 2004

Outstanding Faculty Award,
Crealdé School of Art, 2003 

Honorable Mention, Art Harvest Festival, Dunedin, Florida, 2002

Honorable Mention, Deland Outdoor Art Festival, 2001/2002/2003

Most Creative Approach Award, Images, A Festival of the Arts, 2001

Third Place Award, New Members Show, The Artists Workshop, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 2000

Jeffrey & Vicki Saville Clare Award, Painting in General,
Winston-Salem, N.C., 1996 

Permalba Merchandise Award,
Oil Painters of America National Exhibition; LonGrove, Illinois, 1994 

Best of Show, Riverfront Park Fine Art Show; Daytona Beach, Florida, 1993 

Selected Exhibitions
Vessels: Celebrating the Use of Containers as Subjects in Art;
Group invitational exhibition at Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach, Florida, 2005  

A View into the Creative Mind,
Juried exhibition of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Florida Committee, Park Avenue Fine Art Gallery, Winter Park, 2005  

Oil Painters of America:
14th National Juried Exhibition,
Hilligloss Galleries, Chicago

Contemplation/Representation: A solo exhibition, Atlantic Center for the Arts at Harris House, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 2004

Holiday Faculty Exhibition, Crealde School of Art, 2003/2004

Group Exhibition at Casa Feliz House, Winter Park, Florida, 2003

2002 Art Harvest Festival, Dunedin, Fl

Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, 2001

Gallery C, Raleigh, N.C. 2000-2002

Melbourne Art Festival, 2001

Objects of Desire: Juried Exhibition Orlando City Hall, 2001

Annual Juried Exhibition, Thomas Center Gallery, Gainesville, Fl, 2001

Pitzer’s of Carmel Fine Art
Gallery, Carmel, Calif., 2000-2001 

Oil Painters of America: Ninth Annual Exhibition. Gallery Americana, Carmel, Calif., 2000 

1997 Gold Leaf Gallery, Deland, Fla.