In 2002 I picked up my paintbrush when I toured a small festival and was inspired. I kept saying to my husband, “I can do that”. Finally, he said “well, the difference is, they are doing it”. I took that as a challenge and painted about 12 pieces. I participated in that festival the next fall and sold five pieces and received a half dozen commissions. From that point on I stayed busy riding around NC, taking photos and painting in my spare time. I worked on the road but it gave me photo opportunities from the coast to the hills. Eventually, I had a little weekend gallery of my own. I hosted several other talented painters and sculptors as well.
I stopped painting around 2008 due to my work load and life in general. In 2019 a local wine shop was seeking someone to do wine and paint classes. I led a few classes and never stopped painting again.
My health began to suffer in 2016 with new, adult onset asthma. I progressed to the 5% of asthmatics with a severe complex assortment of problems. I painted when I was able as it was one thing I could still do that was less physical. I mourned my disability and still do but my art keeps me going, inspired and full of passion to create. I love to share my work, participate in art groups online and interact with collectors.
I don’t know what I would do without my art. It’s been such a gift to me that’s kept me going as I had to quit work in 2020 and spend a lot of time alone. I hope somehow others can be inspired and will dive into their talents and passions believing it can give as much as they put into it. It can and it does!
Magnolias and Peonies was a work reminiscent of my early work where I make every brushstroke count. It’s a more formal piece that’s 100% original. Usually, my florals are impressionistic and loosely based on one or more real arrangements. In this piece I also purposely did not use pinks as I tend to go wild with neons, pink in particular. Magnolias are my favorite flowers to paint and I think they command a dignified presentation, hence, the formal arrangement.
Abandoned Homestead was taken from a photo I took around 2002 of a home found at the end of a dirt road in Spring Hope, NC. I spent many Saturdays roaming for inspiration in the countryside. The siding by the doors was mostly gone exposing the many small slats of wood that comprised the walls. The bushes were there and weeds had grown high and wild. I had played with the hue and saturation on my computer and printed those photos long ago. One in purples and one in pinks. I used the pink photo for inspiration.
Website: Tgibsonart.com
Social Media: linktr.ee/TerriGibsonart
Magnolias & Peonies, 20×20”, acrylic on canvas. 2021 
Abandoned Homestead (Spring Hope), acrylic on canvas, 20×16”, 2020.