TRIBUTES have flooded in for a popular artist from Bourton-on-the-Water, who died earlier this month, aged 66.

Terry Harrison, a painter, drawer, author and tutor who saw his work sold worldwide, died on June 13, following a serious illness, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Writing on Facebook, his wife Fiona Peart, said: “It is with the deepest sense of loss and sadness I have to announce that Terry passed away on the June 13.

“We are truly devastated and still in disbelief that he is no longer with us.

“I would like to say thank you for all the kind messages, cards and flowers that I have received, they are much appreciated and a testament to how he truly impacted and inspired so many people through his painting.

“His legacy will live on in all your paintings inspired by him and all the wonderful memories he has given us.”

Having worked as a graphic designer in London and an illustrator for the Yellow Pages, in 1984 Terry decided to concentrate on painting full-time, with demand for his work on the rise.

He had spent years juggling work with painting on evenings and weekends, as well as a full schedule of exhibitions, private commissions, demonstrations and workshops.

Five years later he had started his own fine art print publishing company, which had over 150 images, before he won the prestigious Fine Art Gallery award for the Best Up and Coming Artist in 1996.

In 2000, Gibsons Games created Terry’s first jigsaw puzzle called Heart of the Village while his debut book, Brush with Watercolour, published by Search Press in 2001, has sold over 175,000 copies.

Terry would go on to write 25 more books, including Brush with Acrylics, while he continued to work alongside Gibsons, who converted many of his works in jigsaws.

The last image he painted for Gibsons is of Edinburgh Castle, due for publication in the autumn.

In 1990 he had begun to develop his own unique range of brushes, beginning with the now famous Fangogh brush, before developing a range of watercolour and then acrylic paints.

Following this, he went on to create educational DVDs, many of which can now be seen on the Painting and Drawing Channel on Sky TV.

Inspired in his work by JMW Turner and John Constable, Terry most favoured painting traditional landscapes using watercolour or acrylic, having studied at Farnham Art School.

Growing up in Norfolk, art was never considered a career subject but, when Terry’s family moved to Farnborough in 1965, he was encouraged by his new art teacher, going on to gain O and A Levels in Art.

In 2006, Terry moved to Bourton with Fiona, and the pair married in 2011.

Writing on Facebook, Lyn Olesen said: “I am so sorry to hear this sad news, such a talented man.

“Please accept my sincere condolences Fiona and family.

“Let's hope he is now comparing notes with all of the other greats of the art world!”

Lorraine Beevers Jepson said: “Without the tuition of this man via his TV appearances, videos and books, I would never have had the courage to paint.

“Thank you, Terry Harrison.

"My heart goes out to all his family and friends."