Tucson artist Terry Bowman has built an impressive art practice as a plein air (outdoor) painter. Creating her work in real time, Bowman embraces the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere in the Sonoran Desert, where shifting shadows and glowing horizons define the conditions of the day.

Bowman earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, grounding her in studio art while developing a long-term commitment to painting. Over the years, she has refined her approach through workshops with prominent plein air painters and through active participation in regional art communities. She has exhibited in numerous regional shows and venues, including galleries and exhibitions across Tucson and the Southwest.

Her work is closely connected to Tucson —not just as a home base, but as a continual source of inspiration. The desert is particularly suited to the plein air approach. The interplay of intense sunlight, wind and shadow across rugged terrain creates dramatic contrasts that shift by the minute.

Bowman’s paintings serve as records of time and place. Each canvas captures an intersection of fleeting elements in nature, including color, temperature and atmosphere. “My love of the outdoors has led me to plein air painting,” she says.

I started drawing in middle school and continued taking art classes.

Plein air painting is the practice of painting outdoors, directly from life. The French expression “en plein air” means “in open air.”

Monet is one of the most well-known French Impressionists. I was fortunate to paint in Monet’s gardens in Giverny. It was a wonderful experience.

I find my greatest rewards in plein air painting. There is an energy and freshness that comes from painting outdoors. There is also the challenge of capturing light and color. I have always loved being outside in nature. Painting outdoors allows the artist to truly see and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings. It is also nice to hear the birds and see a few small critters.

When you are in the landscape, it can feel overwhelming. There is so much to take in. It helps to focus on what first caught your attention—color, strong shadows or light. Once you choose your scene, you must work quickly because the light changes. The constantly shifting conditions provide both inspiration and challenge.

I use oil paints. They blend nicely and do not dry as quickly as other mediums.

Rather than creating purely representational landscapes, I aim to translate moments into paint, conveying not only the visual scene but also the mood and sensation of being present. I hope viewers can feel the atmosphere and sense what I experienced while painting.

If someone is interested in plein air painting, they should just begin. It is challenging, but very rewarding. There are workshops for beginners, and the Sonoran Plein Air Society paints together once a week.

Yes, I have taken many workshops. Randall Sexton and Phil Stark were among the most memorable.

I have a studio on my property, which is very convenient, though not downtown for art events. I participate in open studio tours. My website is TerryBowmanFineArt.com, and those interested in visiting the studio can contact me there.

I am reading Wisdom Untethered: The Time for Questions, a new book by Michael Singer, author of The Untethered Soul. It offers guidance on finding inner freedom, managing mental chatter and releasing emotional pain by returning to a calm center.

I have a larger property and enjoy landscaping and creating small artistic features. I had so many rocks that I made a tiny village with walking trails around it—just for fun.

Happy, grateful, caring and a doer.

To connect with Terry Bowman, visit TerryBowmanFineArt.com.