Terry Smith at work in his studio.

Mission Statement

My goal is to paint as much of “The Real Florida” as I can. Future generations need to see what has been and is being lost. There is a need to encourage others to speak up to protect our most valuable treasure. Many things in life can be replaced or rebuilt, but not our greatest possession. It is my hope that by recording the natural Florida now, people will realize the importance of saving Florida’s natural resources, to avoid being left with just memories.
--Terry Smith, Wildlife Artist

Personal Information

Born in Atlanta, Terry spent much of his time exploring the rivers and woods of central Georgia. As he hunted and fished these areas, drawing and sketching wildlife on paper evolved into putting colored images on canvas. However, working for United Airlines and raising a family gave him little time to devote to his painting. In 1979, United relocated from Atlanta to Tampa and Terry, his wife, and their four daughters settled in Land O' Lakes, Florida. This move opened up new areas for exploration. Picking up pens and brushes, he began to draw and paint and returned once again to his favorite pastime. After 38 years he retired from the airline industry and, serendipitously, his interest in painting grew into a full time job in art. He is now painting everything from miniatures to murals, participating in art shows, and conducting painting workshops. He has painted murals not only in Florida, but also Michigan, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Terry Smith

Terry Smith is a wildlife artist who has been painting since 1977 and has been a full time artist since 1999. His paintings have been exhibited in shows, museums and galleries throughout Florida and the Southeast.

He particularly enjoys creating watercolors, but he also uses acrylics and oils. His favorite subjects are wildlife, especially birds and large cats.

His art includes everything from miniatures (one and a half inches) to one hundred foot murals in Florida, Georgia, Michigan and South Carolina.

Terry prefers to paint what he knows best – outdoors and wildlife. One of his favorite things to do is to go into nearby Cypress Creek Well Field. There the textures and odors of the swamp can be felt and smelled and the light can be seen first hand as it picks its way through the foliage. Such sights always reinspire him to improve his craft each time he visits there.

Terry started painting at a very early age, but like many artists, put aside his desire to paint while he focused on making a living for his family. He started painting again in 1977 when his wife signed him up for an art class. The passion was still there and he became a working artist (if you call doing what you love work) in 1999.

Terry's work is now shown in a coffee table book, Florida Beyond the Blue Horizon by Alan S. Maltz (c2006, Light Flight Publications).

He is a current member of the Florida Watercolor Society and the Miniature Art Society of Florida.

Recent Awards:
• 2008 Lutz Art Show Lutz, FL - First Place Paintings
• 2008 Inverness, FL - Best in Division
• 2008 Bloomin’ Arts Bartow , FL - Best of Show
• 2007 Lutz, FL - First Place - Painting
• 2007 Bartow. FL - Plein Air Paint Out - Best of Show
• 2006 Little Harbor, FL - Best of Show
• 2006 Decatur, AL - First Place Landscape
• 2005 Bartow, FL - Award of Achievement
• 2005 Florida International Miniature Show - Second Place Birds and Animals