Terry Tomalty

Cowley Abbott Auction House Biography and Notes

Terry is a Montrealer, and like so many,of Irish descent. He was born on April 28, 1935 and is completely self-taught. He characterizes himself as a painter of events.You could count on the fingers of one hand the number of contemporary Canadian painters whose shows have enjoyed national TV coverage. Terry Tomalty is one of those few. At one of his shows in Montreal the news cameras caught people lining up outside the downtown gallery three days before the official opening. Students and teachers, businessmen and housewives - the word had spread and the art lovers responded. Some came from as far away as Vancouver. Many came prepared with sleeping bags and sandwiches. Not a few arranged to have friends hold their place in line. The show was completely sold out within minutes. The three hundred year old farmhouse, the eight year old playing hockey in The Point;, the riverworn decoy,and the fresh wildflowers are all the stuff of a Terry Tomalty painting. Terry catches his world in broad,bold strokes. His works are eagerly sought in Canada, the United States, and abroad. The extent of his appeal is reflected by his representation in hundreds of private Collections and scores of corporate boardrooms.Terry has painted for many of the NHL hockey teams and was recently invited by the Montreal Canadiens to paint the Heritage Classic Hockey Game. Terry was the only painter to have painted the Quebec Referendum Rally in 1995 and was featured on the CBC across Canada.Through the years, Terry's work has been featured in numerous one man exhibitions at Montreal's Kastel Gallery and Continental Gallery.