Featured image: Winter Gold, David Terrar, 2016, 23k gold leaf and acrylic on board, 30 x 36 in. / 91.44 x 76.2 cm.
David Terrar’s paintings capture the profound beauty of nature, where gold leaf and paint merge to depict the fleeting magic of light.
David Terrar combines gold leaf and paint to create luminous landscapes that explore light, shadow, and the quiet beauty of nature’s fleeting moments.
His works are meditative explorations of landscapes bathed in golden radiance. By blending shimmering 23k gold leaf with acrylics or oils, Terrar creates scenes that transform the familiar forest into a place of mystery and wonder, inviting viewers to step into moments suspended in time.
Explore our curated selection of contemporary artists from around the globe.
Naturalist Gallery offers artist representation internationally. Apply your art.
The Fox Waits at Shadows and Gold Time, David Terrar, 2023, 23k gold leaf and acrylic, 30 x 40 in. / 76.2 x 101.6 cm.
In The Fox Waits at Shadows and Gold Time, Terrar offers a landscape imbued with stillness and quiet anticipation. A lone fox sits at the edge of a forest, dwarfed by towering trees streaked with shimmering 23k gold leaf. The play of gold against cool blues and purples creates a striking contrast, suggesting the transition of light—perhaps dawn or dusk—when shadows deepen and gold floods the landscape. The fox, small but deliberate, becomes a witness to the scene, embodying patience and mystery. The gold leaf reflects shifting light as the viewer moves, echoing the fleeting beauty of these golden hours.
Today's Golden Hour, David Terrar, 2017, 23k gold leaf and acrylic, 30 x 24 in. / 76.2 x 60.96 cm.
Today's Golden Hour takes a more abstract approach, reducing the forest to bold black verticals against glowing fields of gold. The trees, painted with thick, gestural strokes, create a sense of energy and movement, while the gold leaf shimmers like sunlight filtering through branches. This piece feels alive, pulsing with the rhythm of light and shadow, as though Terrar has distilled the essence of golden hour itself into paint. The interplay of light and dark captures that ephemeral moment when the ordinary transforms into something sacred—nature’s fleeting masterpiece.
Snowy Woods, David Terrar, 2012, oil and gold on hardwood panel, 18 x 14 in. / 45.72 x 35.56 cm.
In Snowy Woods, Terrar evokes a serene winter landscape where golden light spills through a quiet forest. The earthy tones of the tree trunks soften against the snow-covered ground, while the gold on the treetops glows with subtle warmth. The composition invites the viewer into the scene, following the path of shadows and light. Terrar’s use of gold here is both delicate and deliberate, symbolizing the sun’s persistent presence even in the coldest, quietest moments. The scene feels timeless, as though the forest holds its breath while the sun dips toward the horizon.
David Terrar’s The Fox Waits at Shadows and Gold Time, Today's Golden Hour, and Snowy Woods illuminate the quiet majesty of nature through the transformative power of gold. By capturing light’s fleeting beauty, Terrar reminds us of nature’s capacity to awe and inspire. His works serve as both an homage to the golden hour and an invitation to pause, reflect, and marvel at the landscapes around us.
Learn more About Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art.
01_Terrar_Just Waiting For Your Soul, David Terrar, 2023, 23k gold leaf and acrylic, 40 x 30 in. / 101.6 x 76.2 cm.
You may also find the following articles helpful:
How Globalization is Changing the Art World
Eco-Art Installations That You Can Visit Right Now
How Social Media Has Created a New Breed of Art Critic
Why Do Activists Target Art? Examining Climate Protest Tactics
The Impact of War on Art: How Conflict Shapes Creativity and Culture
Rebel Artists: How Art Movements Have Challenged Political Regimes
The Ethics of the Museum: Who Decides What Gets Displayed?
1 comment
Thank you for the kind words and thoughtful review of my artwork. The review makes my day.
A few weeks ago I received a message from your organization inviting me to participate in the special promotion for artist. Unfortunately in the confusion of too many Christmas commitments I missed the deadline to reply. I would like to know more about the opportunity and how to participate. I live in Gaithersburg and would love to meet you and your organization.
Thank you.
David Terrar