Over a thirty-year career, the artistic versatility of Terry Medaris has evolved from the graphic arts to the contemporary painting of Native American images which can be viewed in finer art galleries of the Southwest. Launched on his art career by a third grade teacher who recognized Medaris' innate artistic talent, he went on to study commercial art in Los Angeles and at the University of Arizona. Following his years as Senior Illustrator with Hughes Aircraft in Tucson and later as a book illustrator for HP Books and other publishers, Medaris began to devote his life to his own artistic vision.

In addition to painting and drawing, he has worked with sculpture, metal, jewelry, and computer graphics, using traditional southwestern motif. Medaris' designs can be seen on ceramic and pottery, giftware, and greeting cards. He has produced art in a number of mediums, including pen and ink, oils, pastels, acrylics, and gouache.

Medaris has served as an art instructor for Tucson Museum of Art and has taught art at Pima Community College for ten years. His paintings have been exhibited at major galleries in Tucson, Tubac, and Sedona.

Inspired by the relationship of nature to the character of indigenous American people of the Southwest, Medaris has researched their culture, history, costume, and icons. He has studied the meaning of their traditional symbols, as well as the significance of time and mysticism in the Native American experience.

In his quest for authenticity, the Tucson-based Medaris employs bold, intricate design and striking color contrasts to bring forth the strength, spirit, and dignity of his Native American subjects. Each subject in Medaris' painting has a voice that speaks through haunting eyes. Perhaps the message of these Native American is the same today as it has always been.

"As I paint, the eyes seem to emerge from the power of my character's body. As I am completing the eyes, the character's distinctive charisma exerts an inexplicable force over me."

-Terry Medaris