From the Uvalde Leader News - April 19, 2003
by Carol Kothmann Lifestyles editor

FAMILIAR PLACES - The art of Terry Templer (right) now being exhibited at El Progreso Memorial Library features some depictions of places familiar to area residents, such as what is now the Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House and the West Main School, shown in the photo with Terry. Though he is currently living in San Antonio, Templer, a graduate of Uvalde High School, considers Uvalde home and his art shows his love for the area. (Staff photos by Carol Kothmann)

- Home is where the heart is, and for Terry Templer of San Antonio, that is Uvalde. You need look no further than his art to know that. Appropriately, Templer's first art exhibit is being held at El Progreso Memorial Library as part of a revolving exhibit that features a different artist each month. "I usually refer to Uvalde as my home town. My family lived here in the '50s, and I graduated from high school in 1958," said Templer, whose parents, Joe and Elizabeth Templer, and sister, Nancy Stockton, currently live in Uvalde.

Templer's exhibit of watercolors contains solid evidence of his love for Uvalde and the surrounding area. There are paintings of the Kincaid Hotel and a spot near Knippa, and one of West Main School, which he has donated to El Progreso Memorial Library. "I started painting old buildings because they have so much character and, of course, there was always light and shadow playing together," said Templer.

"My interest in drawing and painting began at an early age. However, I really didn't do anything about it until after I retired from the Army. My Army career was focused mostly around flying airplanes and helicopters. That didn't leave much time to pursue drawing and painting," said Templer, who is now employed with H-E-B in the transportation division. Once time was no longer an issue, Templer's wife's interest fueled his artistic fire. "My wife, Sharon, became involved with a group of painters in San Antonio after I had retired from the Army and so she was aware of what was going on in the local art community. When a drawing class was offered she suggested I take it. The class really ignited my interest," said Templer. "I found that I was really interested in the way light and shadow worked together to create depth and perspective in paintings," said Templer.

Other than that one course, Templer said he has had no formal training. He has, however, collected many books about painting with his preferred paints. "Watercolor is my medium. My paintings are probably more controlled than what is generally considered a good technique," said the artist. Whether it is generally considered a good technique or not, Templer's personal style, which includes colors more bold than the shades usually associated with watercolors, produces eyecatching paintings of a variety of subjects. "The paintings I have brought reflect a range of my interest. I really don't have any theme, nor do I try painting in the style of others," said Templer.

"I look at most everything and wonder if that would be a good watercolor painting," said the artist. "I'm always looking for a subject to paint," Templer said, explaining that he even recruits his friends to assist in his search for subject matter. "I encourage people just to bring me things. I like to work from photographs. It gives me time to work," said Templer, whose art will be on display at the library through the end of the month. If you have or know of art you would like to see exhibited at the library, call Joe De Tevis, volunteer art coordinator, at 278-4847, or the library at 278-2017.