The Piece

1982 landscape painting.
Signed Terry Daugherty and dated ’82.
Oil on canvas, framed in wood with linen liner.
Signature and date visible within the paint layer.

Primary Description

This painting depicts a narrow volcanic canyon opening into a high desert basin beyond. Steep rock walls frame the composition vertically, creating a natural aperture that draws the eye toward the distant valley and low mountain range under an open sky. The geological forms and canyon geometry are visually consistent with Northern Nevada landscapes and closely resemble features found in areas such as High Rock Canyon.

Paint is applied heavily across the canyon walls using thick, textured strokes that emphasize rock structure and erosion. The valley floor and sky are rendered more sparingly, creating contrast between mass and distance and reinforcing a sense of depth without relying on color saturation.

About the Artist / Maker

Terry Daugherty was an American regional painter active in the late 20th century. His work is representational and place-focused, often depicting rural and geological landscapes of the American West.

While formal exhibition records and institutional documentation are limited, multiple signed and dated works from the early 1980s indicate a consistent studio practice rather than decorative or casual production. His paintings are best understood within the context of independent regional work rather than academic or commercial gallery systems.

Historical Context

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many painters working in the American West continued to engage directly with local terrain through traditional oil painting. Northern Nevada’s volcanic canyons and high desert basins were common subjects, valued for their scale, isolation, and geological clarity.

Paintings from this period often emphasize physical structure and material response rather than narrative or symbolism, reflecting a continued commitment to observational landscape painting even as broader art movements shifted toward conceptual practices.

Product Details / Materials & Presentation

→ Medium: Oil paint
→ Support: Canvas
→ Construction: Stretched canvas, framed
→ Signature / date: Signed “Terry Daugherty” and dated 1982
→ Frame: Wood frame with linen liner, period-appropriate

Condition + Updates

Overall condition is good.
The impasto paint surface is stable with no visible flaking or loss. Canvas remains taut. Light surface wear and frame wear are consistent with age. No restoration or conservation has been performed.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This painting functions well as a vertical anchor, where surface texture and depth can be appreciated at close range. Its restrained palette and geological subject make it suitable for studies, hallways, or spaces that benefit from visual weight without brightness.

The work rewards proximity. Its strength lies in structure and material presence rather than scale or color.

From Viridian Eclection

Viridian Eclection presents regional works with clear boundaries and honest context. Each piece is offered without invented histories or inflated claims, allowing place, material, and authorship to speak plainly.