Terry Orletsky

My painting subjects are eclectic in nature. I paint impressionistic landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, and sometimes still life. My paintings of people have been described as "poetic" and they run the gamut from quick impressionistic portraits in acrylics to finely detailed oils on smooth wood panels. In 2026 my preference is leaning towards the style of Edward Hopper emphasizing color, light, shadow, and geometry to isolate his subjects. He is first known as an American Realist but he is also a self-avowed impressionist first.

When I am painting scapes of all kinds, I tend to follow the thinking of George Innes. He was a 19th century American Tonalist painter and he said "...an elaborateness of detail does not gain me meaning." Turner is inspiring. "Indistinctness is my forte." Turner's work glows with light and everything is infused with motion. His landscapes and seascapes are never static. My work emulates his. Landscapes are fluid; skies threaten, clouds move, grain sways, trees rustle, and the sea restlessly heaves. A city scape is frenetic with abstract traffic. The canvas is attacked with knife and brush and enthusiasm. I like my paintings to exude moods and motion. Color is used not to describe but to evoke emotion. ...

-University of California San Diego (UCSD) at The Loft Apr 10, 2018 to Jun 13, 2018.
-Ashton Gallery San Diego Sep 22 to Oct 20 2018 "Home & Harvest"
-Ashton Gallery San Diego Nov 24 2018 to Jan 5 2019 "C Note Exhibition "
-"The Winter Show", Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Dec 7, 2018 to Jan 2, 2019
-Emerald Spring Painting Exhibition 2019, Emerald Art Center, Springfield, OR May 1 to May 31, 2019. Award winning "Upon the Heath".
-"Impressive: All Media 2019", Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA May 2 to May 31, 2019
-San Diego County Exhibition of Fine Art, May 31 - July 4, 2019 Del Mar CA
-"Color Vibrations" Exhibition, The Cove Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA June 8 - July 25, 2019
-Newport Beach Art Exhibition, Newport, CA June 15, 2019
-California Coastal Exhibition, The Cove Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA July 26 - September 26, 2019
-Ashton Gallery San Diego Nov 30 2019 to Jan 4 2020 "C Note Exhibition "
-Small Wonders", Autumnal Series, The Cove Gallery, Nov 22, 2019 to Jan 30, 2020
-"The Winter Show", Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Dec 6, 2019 to Jan 17, 2020
-"HABITAT CALIFORNIA: Flora & Fauna", Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Feb 8, 2020 to May 23,2020
-Del Mar Fair Fi...