TERRY PYLES

ALASKAN ARTIST

Terry Pyles was born in Seattle, Washington in 1957 and had his first art lesson at age 3 in a program for gifted children at the University of Washington. His parents provided ample encouragement with art supplies and periodic private lessons throughout his elementary school years. His family moved to rural Whidbey Island when he was 12.

At tiny Coupeville Jr./Sr. high school, an art class didn't exist for lack of a budget until his Sophomore year. Never the less, the school’s new art teacher, Dave Foss, in only a couple of years would turn out to be instrumental in Pyles' diversity as an artist.

"He (Foss) taught everything from painting to lost wax casting and everything in between. I consider my renaissance approach to art heavily influenced by him and by my dad who taught me I could do anything I put my mind to".

In 1975, after graduating from high school, Terry moved to Alaska and became a licensed guide. His experience in the outdoors and time spent living in remote wilderness locations give him an edge when it comes to portraying the Alaskan environment in a realistic fashion.

Terry is best known for his paintings of Alaskan wildlife but he is equally skilled in landscape, marine and aviation subjects. His use of unique perspectives and a realistic style has earned him commissions from the likes of Princess Cruises, The Bradford Exchange, Danbury Mint, Lenox, Flying Tigers Association, Ducks Unlimited, Texaco, State of Alaska, Dimensions, *NOAA, World Wildlife Fund and National Wildlife Federation, just to name a few. Applications of his work can be found on phone books, credit cards, art cards, tiles, T-shirts, mugs, limited edition prints, puzzles, cross stitch patterns, wall paper, calendars and more. His paintings are collected internationally and he has won several local, and national awards for his artwork.

Pyles is truly a "renaissance" artist. He not only paints but sculpts in fiberglass, epoxy, wood and many other materials. He also works in ceramics, stained glass, computer graphics and lampwork glass beads. Building furniture, fishing and golf are some of his hobbies. Terry and his wife, Cheri, own and operate Dockside Gallery and The Bead and Yarn Shoppe in Ketchikan, Alaska.

* (Below) A recent poster collaboration with artist friend, Ray Troll, for the National Marine Fisheries Service under NOAA. Copies now hang in the US Senate, US House of Representatives and NOAA headquarters.

portrait of the artist, Terry Pyles, photo by Chip Porter

Puffins and salmon troller ride the swells of Lizianski Inlet

"A Swell Day" (featured in "Painters of Alaska", Alaska Geographic®)
© 1999 by Terry Pyles

Flying Tigers, P-40 number 5 piloted by Charles Bond of the original A.V.G. (American Volunteer Group) Flying Tigers

The American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers, Aviation's finest fighter group, honors Terry Pyles, by declaring "Typical A.V.G. Odds" the best artistic representation of their P-40B's by any artist, anywhere. This historic print is signed by over twenty of the original Flying Tigers. Click on the picture.

Terry Pyles selected cover artist for the January 2001 U.S. Art magazine cover

Terry Pyles' "Puffin Paradise" selected for the cover of the January 2001 issue of U.S.ART magazine.