Terrance “Terry” William Masters

Terry Masters died on Christmas morning, December 25, 2021, at Desert Hospital in Palm Springs at the age of 66 from heart failure.

Terry was born on February 10, 1955, to William P. Masters and Patricia M. Masters at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento. Growing up in Sacramento was interesting for Terry as the sixth child of nine. There was never a dull moment. When Terry was 12, the family moved to Palm Springs where Terry discovered the beauty of the desert.

Growing up in the Coachella Valley instilled in her a deep appreciation for the beauty found in the light of the desert.

Terry was a prolific Californian oil painter who captured the fleeting beauty of light in remarkable fashion. He has won numerous awards for his work and has been honored with the distinction of being an Iconic Artist of the California Art Club (CAC), one of the nation’s oldest and most active arts organizations.

Spending his youth exploring the canyons and vistas of the desert gave him an in-depth knowledge of the many places that lent themselves to being painted in the manner for which he was so known.

Before becoming a full-time painter, Masters worked for 20 years in radio as a production manager, station manager, and as on-air personality “Bob Clark” on KPSI’s Bob and Bill Show. . In 1994, at the age of 39, he made a resolution to start painting for the New Year. His interest turned into a deep devotion and he eventually quit radio to pursue his lifelong passion for painting. full time painting.

In 2013, Masters opened his own gallery studio called Desert Painter Studio Gallery in downtown Palm Springs. Visitors to the gallery were often greeted by Masters and his beloved cat, Red, who loved to lay in the sun by the windows. Masters closed the Desert Painter Studio Gallery in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Masters has also served as an instructor at the Desert Art Center, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and many other studios in California.

Family and friends say Terry had hope for the year ahead and has recently been exploring more portraiture and work on larger canvases.

If you want to honor Terry Masters’ legacy, his family established the Terry Masters Memorial Fund at the Desert Art Center, where Masters was a long-time faculty member.

“I had just spoken with Terry about what was happening in his studio, as we are finding homes for his work so quickly. He was really optimistic about the future,” said Crystal Curtis, director of the Jones & Terwilliger Gallery. . “His students and friends visited the gallery regularly, remarking on how freely Terry painted last year. He painted bigger, more colorful and took bigger risks, they said. We were so excited to see what happened. would then pass on his canvas. We are saddened by this loss, a hero in the desert with a strange eye.”

Terry was predeceased by his father William P. Masters (died 1994), brother Jeff (died 1972) and brother Mike (died 1998). He is survived by his 97-year-old mother Patricia Masters of Rancho Mirage, his three sisters; Kathryn Masters of Escondido, Lin Masters of Joshua Tree, and Trese Judd and her husband Dennis Judd of Yucca Valley and her brothers; Robert “Gold” Masters and his wife Celeste Masters of Desert Edge, Thomas K. Masters of Rancho Mirage, Kenneth Masters and his wife Danielle Masters of Danville CA. Nieces Patrese Fischer, Cara Tobiason, Roberta Judd, Andrea Judd and nephews Jeff Polis and Joseph Masters and 2 great nephews and 2 great nieces. Masters was loved by his community and messages are pouring in on his Instagram from people around the world sharing fond memories and admiration for his work. He was not only appreciated for his artwork and mentorship, but also for his warm smile, great sense of humor, gentle nature and humility.