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Artist Of The Month: Mark Terrell |
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by M. Y. Mim |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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Perhaps more than any other animal, the wild mustang expresses the spirit of the Wild West dream of the U.S. Roaming, playing, running, we see the vision of the soul of America, wild and free. And Mark Terrell's photographs express this, in pictures as beautiful as the mustangs themselves. |
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Mark Terrell tells us a story: "At the last Wild Horse and Burro Expo, held in Reno, an 85 year-old cowboy who |
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was now mobile only in a wheelchair, came into my booth, and began to just stare at my photos. He stated these wild horses reminded him of the horses he and his dad worked when he was a boy in the thirties. He got real quiet and I looked over to see tears streaming down his face. (That brought tears to the others in the booth who were all listening to us talk.) It was a very touching moment, and the first time I realized the impact my work could have." |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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His photos resonate with all of us, not merely the old cowboys who have lost this way of life. Amazingly, he's fairly new to this work. |
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"I moved to taking pictures of only horses about two years ago. Prior to that, I combined horses with landscapes of Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra Nevada Range." |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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However, Terrell established himself as a photographer early in his life. |
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"I minored in art while in college. Then I began taking photographs during college when I realized that my 'eye' for photography was much better than my hands for painting." |
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"My art is focused on wild horses. The mustangs have a very hard life, and they live it very well. The effort they put into living another season has been my inspiration." |
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Asked to describe a breakthrough moment, Terrell responded "Michelle Weed, the Nevada chair for NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped) called me and asked to display my work at their national |
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convention. I went and met an amazing group of people who were also seemingly touched by my work. The spirit shown by the trainers, therapists, and stable owners I came in contact with continues to motivate me every day. It was a tremendous experience." |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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"I have a tremendous passion for what I do. I learn something from the mustangs every day I go out. Every time I think that I'm getting pretty smart, they let me know I'm not. Every day in the field is ideal." |
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Terrell's workplace, his "studio," is the land itself. "I work mostly in the mountains of Northern Nevada surrounded by wild horses, far from people. It is usually completely silent, save for the noise of a horses turning a stone or rock while feeding, the wind, and the screech of a hawk or eagle. If I am on the top of a mountain, I can sometimes see the glint of the sun off a windshield on a distant highway, but you hear nothing. It is quite a feeling." |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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Spending so much time with the wild mustangs has allowed Terrell some extraordinary views into the herd's life. |
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"I have followed a little pinto foal from the day of her birth to now. I watched her mother fend off the dominant stallion for hours the first day. When I had to leave, I wasn't sure I would see her again. Mom obviously did well, as the next time I found them, the baby |
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was just another member of the band. At about two months of age, she approached another stallion, who immediately laid his ears back and became aggressive. The foal made the babies' mouthing submissive motion, the stallion raised his ears back up and then nuzzled her on the neck. She then started nuzzling him. The picture of her nuzzling him, due to the dynamics of the situation, is my current favorite." |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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In the last year, sales of Terrell's photographs have done very well. His plans for the future hold the hope of more commercial success. "If the growth rate I've experienced this past year could be maintained every year, I would be a very happy photographer."
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It should be no surprise that art and horse lovers, or simply people who wish to be reminded of the American dream, want a Mark Terrell photo in their homes. The photo of the mustang walking on a snowy ridge expresses the beauty and harshness of the land as well as the determination and hardiness of the breed - the very same qualities we honor in the Western settlers, in the mythic American. Terrell achieves a perfect composition in this shot. The unfocused background gives a |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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poignancy to the horse and frozen ground that is in focus. |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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Terrell is most proud of his "ability of my work to enhance people's awareness of our wild horses. They are an integral part of our heritage and need our help." We, the lucky viewers of his photographs, also recognize of the pride of his subjects and the mastery of his art. |
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Photo by Mark Terrell. |
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To view more of Mark Terrell's art and/or purchase a piece, visit his website, Wild Horses of Nevada Photography, mterrell@wildhorsesofnevadaphoto.com or email him directly,. His phone and address: PO Box 1400, Dayton, Nevada, 89403. (775)230-1992.
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Read comments or post your own comments to this article at the bottom of this page. |
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About the Author: M. Y. Mim is a free-lance journalist based in Santa Barbara, Ca. She may be reached at mymim3@cox.net, or through her agent R. Almqvist, 805-705-5349, http://web.mac.com/macmym. The author wishes to thank Mr. Almqvist for his assistance in making this article possible. |
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Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission. |
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Reader comments for this article |
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Name: John A. Putz Time: 2008-02-23 09:02:12
Comment: Loved your photographs of these wonderful
animals. City people only know the city, and want
to see the world in concrete, you show God's
creation and its beauty. Keep up the good
work!!
Name: NickerIt Time: 2008-02-18 23:02:05
Comment: Thanks for the great article about Mark. Those are just amazing pictures. I've "Nickered" this at (edited) for other equestrians to see.
Name: BONNIE MATTON Time: 2008-02-03 13:02:53
Comment: I am president of the Wild Horse Preservation League, located in Dayton, Nevada. Last year, we became familiar with Mr. Terrill's photographic art when he exhibited at the Wild Horse and Burro Expo in Reno, Nevada. We found out he lived in our area and has subce been to several of our meetings. His work is simply beautiful and meaningful. The American Mustang represents, to many in America, freedom and independence. We are losing so many of our freedoms lately, that people across the country, are contacting us, saying even though they are not fortunate to have the Wild Horses in their state, they still care for their welfare. Mr. Terrill, with his accomplished work in the field of photography, will help many across our nation, share the beauty of these magnificant animals. We are truly fortunate in having him, not only as a member or our non-profit organization, but, as a true friend to our American Heritage - the American Mustang. His kind spirit and generousity in helping us protect these animals, is very much appreciated by all.
H. Bonnie Matton, President
Wild Horse Preservation League
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