The Ferndale Arts Gallery presents the work of oil painter Terrie Ridenhour in December.

Ridenhour – gallery member since 2017 – grew up in McKinleyville, but now lives in Ferndale. His work captures the beauty of Humboldt’s farming country. His paintings feature cattle, horses and chickens, rivers and beaches, fields and mountains.

As busy as she was in her career, Ridenhour still ran a small farm, raising cattle, horses and chickens. She has always been a part of ranching life in the area, serving as president of the Humboldt County Cattlewomen for one term. She had always been drawn to the art of painting, but her busy life had no place to explore it until she retired and reduced her responsibilities in breeding.

Ridenhour began painting in acrylics, but quickly switched to oils. The artist finds unlimited inspiration throughout Humboldt County, but her passion from an early age has always been farming and herding, so she mostly enjoys painting scenes of cattle, with green pastures with mountains. covered with trees, water and sky. Occasionally she will try out subjects that challenge her painting skills, such as a boat in the bay.

Ridenhour said: “For me, painting is like getting lost in a good book or a good story and feeling like you’ve been transported to it. When I paint I try to tell a story – like a large book there are times when I feel like I am immersed in the painting. It’s exciting when every brush stroke feels nice and an image begins to appear. I want people who see my paintings to feel this deep connection. “

The Ferndale Arts Gallery, located at 580 Main Street in Ferndale, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The gallery is an artists’ cooperative, so one of the 20 member artists is always on duty to attend and speak with the public. For more information, call 707-786-9634 or visit FerndaleArtGallery.com.