Ilustró brevemente y luego le ofrecieron una exposición individual en Tucson, Arizona, que se agotó y comenzó su carrera en bellas artes. Mientras estuvo en Tucson, fue invitado a ser artista residente en Sun Ranch en Madison Valley, en el suroeste de Montana. El rancho renovó la barraca para acomodar su estudio. Gary, junto con sus pastores australianos Patches y Amos Moses, su caballo “Truco”, se establecieron. Fue una gran experiencia de aprendizaje, adquirió la perspectiva de un vaquero y perfeccionó su humor vaquero.
Gary fue adoptado en Crow Nation el 25 de junio de 1991, como miembro de la Real Bird Family y miembro del Big Lodge Clan. Participó activamente en la recreación de Custer Battle durante años celebrada en Real Bird Ranch en el río Little Big Horn cerca de Garryowen, Montana.
En 1982 fue aceptado en Cowboy Artists of America y en 1986 se desempeñó como presidente de la organización. Gary vive con su esposa, Marlys, en un espléndido aislamiento entre el Parque Nacional Yellowstone y los ranchos del río Madison, donde trabaja duro para generar nuevas ideas y mantener viva su condición de artista en “situación”.
Gary Carter graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 1971 and was blessed to have great instructors who encouraged him to paint the West. He became friends with artists Joe Henninger, Don Putman and Reynold Brown.
He illustrated briefly then was offered a one-man show in Tucson, Arizona, which sold out and started his fine art career. While in Tucson he was invited to be the resident artist at Sun Ranch in the Madison Valley of southwest Montana. The ranch refurbished the bunkhouse to accommodate his studio. Gary, along with his Australian Shepherd Patches and Amos Moses, his “trick” cow horse, took up residence. It was a great learning experience, and he gained a cowboy’s perspective and fine-tuned his cowboy humor.
Gary was adopted into the Crow Nation on June 25, 1991, as a member of the Real Bird Family and a member of the Big Lodge Clan. He was active in the Custer Battle re-enactment for years held at the Real Bird Ranch on the Little Big Horn River near Garryowen, Montana.
In 1982 he was accepted into the Cowboy Artists of America and in 1986 served as President of the organization. Gary lives with his wife, Marlys, in splendid isolation between Yellowstone National Park and Madison River ranches where he works hard to come up with new ideas and keep his “predicament” artist status alive.