Redlands Art Association to feature abstract artist Teri Adams

On Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m., visitors to the Redlands Art Association can view original abstract artwork and meet featured artist Teri Adams.

Adams is known for her suggestive abstract watermedia paintings, heavily influenced by natural landscapes and architecture.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be an artist, but I thought you had to have talent,” she said. That belief led her to major in interior design at San Diego State University, where art classes were part of the program. She developed her skills while discovering that her talent came naturally.

“That gave me the confidence to keep going,” she said.

Adams later earned a degree in graphic design and worked in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department public affairs division until retiring a year ago.

“I’ve seen in my artwork and in my graphics—they kind of blend into each other, whether it’s in the sense of color or design,” she said.

Throughout her career, Adams incorporated artistry and creativity into her professional work while continuing to take art classes outside of work hours.

“I’m proud of all of it. I can go back and look at early logo designs—they still hold up today,” Adams said.

In college, Adams began painting with watercolors. In the years that followed, she focused on landscapes and studied with artists from the renowned California watercolor movement, including Rex Brandt, Robert E. Wood and Milford Zornes. During the summers, she attended workshops in Green Valley Lake, which she described as “working hard on my art.”

“As I kept painting, I started learning that I didn’t really care about painting what was in front of me,” she said.

Landscapes and buildings gradually became shapes, colors and textures, leading Adams to fully embrace abstraction.

“I wanted to do my own thing and make it more personal,” she said. For the past five years, abstract art has been her sole focus.

In her abstract paintings, hints of landscape and architectural elements remain for observant viewers.

Adams describes her process as both playful and challenging.

“You can play for a while, but then it’s hard work,” she said. “At the same time, it becomes a problem-solving process.”

She considers a piece complete “when nothing is bothering me anymore—if nothing jumps out at me and says, ‘You’ve got to fix that.’”

Her work incorporates a wide range of materials, including transparent watercolor, acrylic, aquarelle pencils, crayons, ink, graphite, charcoal and collage.

“Whatever I find,” she said. “The only thing I haven’t used yet is pastels.”

Adams continually experiments with new color combinations and techniques.

“That helps me feel like I’m growing in my art and keeps me energized,” she said.

Two of her recent paintings were juried into the Multi Media Mini Show at the Redlands Art Association’s latest exhibit. One piece, featuring orange—a color she rarely uses—earned particular praise.

“I really like that painting,” she said.

Another juried work received the Juror’s Award.

“He liked the freedom of all the shapes, the colors and the activity of my work,” Adams said of the juror’s comments.

Adams has been a member of the Redlands Art Association for 30 years. She currently serves on the board and was previously featured as an artist eight years ago. Her work has also been shown at the San Bernardino County Museum’s Fine Arts Institute and the Chaffey Community Museum.

Her paintings have been accepted into Watercolor West, where she is a signature member. Her work has appeared in The Palette magazine and is included in collections at Marriott Hotels and throughout Southern California.

“Every day is a new accomplishment,” she said, noting that she continues to paint regularly.

“It’s an honor and an opportunity to put yourself out there and make yourself do a body of work to show,” she said of being a featured artist.

Adams’ exhibition, titled “Suggestive Abstract,” reflects her open-ended approach.

“I don’t dictate what you are going to see. I let people see whatever they want to see in the artwork,” she said.

The show runs through April 17.

Adams’ work can be viewed at teriadamsfineart.com.

About the Redlands Art Association

Teri Adams of Redlands will be the featured artist at the Redlands Art Association Gallery March 21 to April 17, exhibiting acrylic and multimedia collage paintings.

An artist’s reception is scheduled 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

Address: 215 E State St, Redlands CA 92373
RAA website: redlands-art.org
RAA social media:  facebook.com/RedlandsArtAssociation and @redlandsartassociation on Instagram.

Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays closed.

For more information on classes and gallery hours, visit redlands-art.org.