OSU alumna's art displayed in library

The Edmon Low Library has a new piece of artwork thanks to an Oklahoma State University alumna.

Western artist Sonya Terpening donated an oil painting to the library Thursday. The piece, called "Just One More Chapter," will be on permanent display in the Lisa and Mark Snell Gallery. The painting portrays a cowboy absorbed in the pages of a book.

Terpening grew up in Oklahoma, received an art degree from OSU and now lives in Grapevine, Texas.

Sheila Johnson, library dean, said she first saw Terpening's work at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Johnson said after approaching Terpening about donating a piece to the gallery, she was happy to help.

Johnson's guidelines for the painting were pretty simple, Terpening said.

"(Johnson) said that the only stipulations were, 'Give me a cowboy and give me a book,'" Terpening said.

"I noticed Sonya was an OSU alum and thought her work would be a perfect fit," Johnson said.

Bonnie Cain-Wood, senior communications specialist at the library, said Terpening made the piece specifically for the library.

"She has a strong connection to her alma mater," Cain-Wood said.

Chuck Schroeder, president of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, said Terpening is one of the elite artists who has participated in the Prix de West Art Exhibition for 17 years.

Schroder said Terpening was known as a superior watercolorist before adding oil painting to her range of skills a few years ago. He said her work is recognized for its sensitivity to the mood and feelings of her subject matter."Sonya is a remarkable talent," Schroeder said. "She is one of very few artists able to execute at a master level in more than one artistic medium."

Terpening said for her, painting is more than just pretty colors.

"I'm a storyteller," she said. "After that, it's getting the anatomy right.

Although "Just One More Chapter" is on permanent display, there is a temporary exhibit in the gallery featuring more of Terpening's work for the four weeks.