Terri Shay
“The work I create is meant to amuse, inspire, and foster a curiosity of the mystery that is our natural world. Through familiar forms and organic movements an alternative landscape emerges. I am fascinated by thinking of creating, like solving a visual and melodious puzzle.”
Terri Shay has been working as a professional artist for over 30 years. She has worked as an illustrator, painter, and educator. She likes to share her imagination with others by adapting a color palette with an almost infinite array of shading and hues. From illustrating the art of children’s books, expressing popular topics and seasonal change, to bringing her travels to life. Terri is currently teaching Color, Design and Painting at Saint Louis University.
She has earned a B.F.A from Columbus College of Art and Design and a MA and MFA from Fontbonne University with an Emphasis in Painting. Terri Shay has had countless shows, exhibits, and publications. She currently lives in Saint Louis. When Terri is not making art, she enjoys being outside swimming, taking a hike or just spending time with friends, family, and her many pets.
Artist Statement
My creative objective is meant to amuse, intrigue, foster curiosity through unique organic form and movement. I attempt to recreate what has already been seen and understood through my observation of cycles and patterns with my own vision and creative interpretation. The familiar, the natural portrayal of a flower, is reinterpreted by giving it new playful movement and slightly more intense changes in color pallet, a different view that brings unique life to the painting. This creative process is ever changing and mercurial, in form. It reflects the harmonic cycles, childish melodies and the adaptive ever changing imaginative mind.
Awards & Credentials
- “Best of Show Illustration Award” National Presented by the Artist Guild of 2015
- “Illustration and Book Art,” Chesterfield Arts, 2009
- Paintings in the RHS Lindley Library Collection and also the Shirley Sherwood Collection
- Exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show 2008-2013
- Commissions by David Austin Roses
- Election to Society of Botanical Artists 2013
- “The Kite Award” Book Award 1997 Parents Choice Award
- RHS Gold Medal and Best in Show award 2007
Publications
- Illustrations
- Children First Foundation 2015
- Educational Multimedia Company/ Washington University 2013
- Stray Rescue Fundraiser, Riverfront Times, August 2011
- Hopscotch Magazine, 1997
- Book Illustration
- Happy Times Magazine, Concordia publishing, 1998
- Faith-based Texts, Mazor Publishing, 1997
- Two-page illustration and design for Junior Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Association, 1996
- Spanish Readers, Harper Collins/Victoria Publishing, 1996
- “Fun Enough” and “Frogs & Lizards” bookmarks, distributed nationally through Barnes and Noble, 1995
Shows & Exhibits
- Vino Gallery Central West End Saint Louis Group Show "Season Change Art" 2014
- Saint Louis "Eatable Art" Group Show 2014
- Schmitt Gallery at South Western College Illinois 2014
- Northwest Coffee "Bugs Bees and Beets" November 2013
- Artist Guild Landscape Spaces 2013
- Fine Arts Tavern 2013
- Chesterfield Art Summer Group Show 2012
- Soulard Art Market and Gallery, juried exhibition, oil on canvas 2011
- St. Louis University Museum "Urban Wanderers", mixed media collage 2011
- St. Louis Artist Guild "All Roads Lead To Roam", mixed media collage 2011
- Chesterfield Art Summer Group Show 2011
- Art St. Louis, “Blink,” juried exhibition, “Seeds,” oil on canvas 2010
- Art St. Louis, “Out of the Blue,” group exhibition, “Windows,” oil on canvas 2010
- Glenn Art, juried exhibition, oil on canvas, St. Simon, GA 2010
- Glen Arts Association, juried group exhibition, (2) oils on boards, Jekyll Island, GA 2009
- Anchor, juried exhibition traveling show, “Windows,” oil on canvas 2009
- Chesterfield Arts, “The Written Word,” group exhibition, book illustration, St. Louis 2009
- Marbles Gallery, group exhibition, (10) oils on canvas, St. Louis 2009
- St. Charles Community College, faculty exhibition, (2) oils on canvas 2009
- Third Degree Glass Factory, group exhibition, “Summer Sun,” oil on canvas, St. Louis 2009
- St. Louis University, faculty exhibition, oil on canvas 2008
- Metro/Arts in Transit, charcoal drawings and multiple oils on canvas 2006
- Marbles Gallery, solo exhibition, “Change of Season,” (15) oils on canvas, St. Louis, 2007
- Metro/Arts in Transit, charcoal drawings and multiple oils on canvas 2006
- Ethical Society, “Contemporary Landscapes,“ landscapes, (5) oils on canvas, St. Louis 2005
- Art of the Vine, group exhibition, oil on board for art auction, St. Louis 2005
- Brentwood Health Center, “Women in the Red Tent,” (4) oils on canvas with poetry, St. Louis 2005
- Hoffman LaChance Gallery, group exhibition, multiple oils on canvas, St. Louis 2005
- Fleishman-Hillard, group exhibition, charcoal drawings, St. Louis 2004