Terry Donahue is an internationally acclaimed wildlife artist who is rapidly gaining attention in the art world for his innovative style and stunning portrayals of primates, big cats, birds and other wildlife species. His masterful use of pastels creates palpable textures and dynamic sensations of movement, form and space. Bold and expressive hues, often juxtaposed against white or abstracted backgrounds, imbue Terry’s compositions with the power and emotional impact that characterize his wildlife subjects.
Terry Donahue was born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1956 where he developed an early awareness of the beauty and importance of nature. He recalls frequent backyard visits from black bear and moose with each experience imparting a growing respect and fascination for wildlife and natural habitats.
His first and greatest influence was his eldest brother (also an artist) who recognized Terry’s natural drawing skills and encouraged his talent. Terry began painting with oil on canvas as early as the fourth grade, and later earned a degree in fine art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he had received a full scholarship for basketball. After an extensive career in commercial art, Terry decided to devote his full time to his first love, which was fine art. Pastels eventually proved to be the perfect medium for his impressionistic compositions and provided the challenge he was looking for, allowing him to breathe life into his wildlife subjects and create a brilliant sense of motion.