We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Terry Minor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Terry, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally while in the middle of illustrating my first ever children’s book project. I was at an event and a guy and his wife whom I know personally approached me to have a conversation and catch up a bit, since they were visiting in town for the event. Somehow we got on the subject of discussing art and I mentioned to them how I loved to draw as a kid.
But what happened next kick started this passion into high gear. They asked me to illustrate their first children’s book. Although I had never illustrated a children’s book before, or even drawn in that art style yet…although I was a little reluctant at first for obvious reasons, I said “yes.” Then, I did a ton of research on “how to draw.” Throughout the years I always felt deep down that I could draw, I would even sketch every now and then, or at random times buy a sketchbook, or an ipad and a wacom pen to draw on my ipad (yes, that was a thing once before) but I never grasped the basics and the fundamentals, therefore I didn’t have much confidence due to not having a foundation in the basics. So next, I purchased “how to” materials and watch alot of youtube videos, and studied the basics and practiced drawing at my kitchen table around 2-4 hours at a time, 3-4 months straight, literally.
The more I studied and practiced, confidence began to grow. I then started to believe….”I can do this.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I focused on and played sports year-round my entire childhood from ages 6 to 18.. Looking back, I would have only played one sport each year, and used the rest of the time to focus on growing my art skills and building a solid foundation and understanding in the creative spaces.
Fast forward to the future, as I worked on drawings and would post them on facebook, people would approach me in person and say “I didn’t know you were an artist.” When I heard those words, each time, it lit a fire in me! But not of passion…more so….confusion! Ha! I thought…”An artist?! ME?!” It definitely took some getting used to, hearing those words.
Then a little while down the road, I illustrated my first children’s book project that went #1 on Amazon, in a specific category for up to 6 days. (I repeatedly pressed the page refresh button thinking “Is this real?”
Now I illustrate for many hours a day for amazing clients and projects.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Although I said “yes” to my first ever children’s book project while having not done one before, one can imagine the obstacles that came with learning software, drawing in general, and confidence. Yet, I pushed through. I knew deep down that I must do this. I often shared with others….”I feel drawn to draw.” (Pun intended)
Literally I could feel deep down that I was supposed to draw and not quit. It didn’t matter if I went through 27 youtube videos, 10 blogs, 2 books and 47 pinterests posts before a certain thing “clicked” for me. Nothing was going to stop me. And I’d like to encourage other creatives who may come across this and say to them, don’t quit. Life is literally too short to not push through.
One of the deepest convictions I have that has fueled my resilience points to a phrase that I often may say to my wife which is this, “I feel drawn to draw. And I just know, that I cannot become 80 years old, and then look back and wonder “what if?”
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
With modern day technology, I would say almost all needed resources are a google search away before you’re headed in a helpful direction. Therefore, I wouldn’t say there were resources I knew about sooner. However, to answer that I would say since there is no lack of fast access to resources in these times, don’t be lazy. Treat it as if the next day, the internet would shut down forever. How eager and hungry would we be then to grab and grasp all the resources at our fingertips online and take notes?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://terryminorart.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terryminorart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terryminorart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryminorart
- Twitter: https://x.com/terryminorart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@terryminorart
Image Credits
Terry Minor