If you are looking for something a little different to do on Sunday afternoon you might visit Terry Whittle's CWE art studio, which is part of CAM's (Contemporary Art Museum) Open Studios Tour taking place throughout the St. Louis area this weekend.
Terry and his wife Renee live in the neighborhood. When Terry retired after fifteen years with the National Ministry of the Lutheran Church, he wanted to pursue his lifelong avocation of painting while he still had the energy. That's when he found his studio in the Pierce Arrow Building at 4814 Washington, just a short walk from his condo.
Terry works in oils and has been painting since he was 20 years old. While he wanted to major in art at Indiana's Valparaiso University, his father insisted he get a degree in an income-producing field, so he graduated with a degree in both psychology and art.
Interestingly, his first few jobs were art related. During the Vietnam War, he was an illustrator for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in D. C. He then worked for Concordia Publishing House as a children's book illustrator, and later at Golden Books designing travel guides and yearbooks.
Many of this prolific artist's paintings are landscapes, of scenes found in Forest Park, below, and travels to Florida, above.
Terry's favorite paintings, shown here, are autumn landscapes. Prices range from $450 to $1200. One of his recent works, of the Chase Hotel, hangs in the private office of The Chase Park-Plaza's Jim Smith.
Terry Whittle's Studio Open House, Sunday from 10 to 4 p.m. Pierce Arrow Building, 4814 Washington, just east of Euclid. The event is free and open to the public. There is an Open Studios BBQ at CAM Sunday from 6 to 9, $10 per person, children are free. It was difficult for me to determine what other artists' studios are on the tour from the CAM website, so I suggest you drop by the Museum to pick up a map, 3750 Olive.
I really enjoyed your blog… You always have great information & inspire me as an educator & artist!!!