What can you say about Howard Terpning that hasn’t already been said? He’s described as the grand master of Western painting, an American icon, and a master storyteller. He is all of that and more. His magnificent paintings have earned him a myriad of awards and inclusion in some of the finest museums in the country. And, yet, he is unpretentious when it comes to the many accolades he has received during the 44 years he painted the American West.
Terpning will celebrate his 98th birthday November 5. He’s still sharp as a tack, but he hasn’t painted for the past four years because his vision isn’t as good as it once was. He doesn’t bemoan that fact, however. “It takes some getting used to,” he says, “but I had great vision for 94 years. Considering my lifetime and how active I was, it’s time to settle down and not do much.”
Read the full article in the July/August 2025 issue.
The Storyteller
oil
32″ by 42″
Pursuit Across the Yellowstone
oil
32″ by 42″
