We were lucky to catch up with Michael Terry recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I was recently offered the opportunity to be the first-ever artist to takeover the entire world famous Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum for a solo artist exhibition. Skateboarding just recently became an Olympic gold medal event, however, has long been a globally admired cultural phenomenon since its birth in Southern California. Most people don’t realize that skateboarding was the first inclusive sport in history that openly welcomed boys & girls and men & women from every ethnic background, social economic class and sexual orientation. Its colorful graphics and individual style drove true “rebels” from everywhere to try the sport and carve out their own legacy. The great skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk, has said “I consider skateboarding an art form, a lifestyle and a sport”. He couldn’t have said it any better because all of it is true. I want my art to inspire people, lift them up and bring them together. This opportunity only came to me because I was unselfish. Kobe Bryant’s mamba mentality and Jimi Hendrix’s unstoppable passion for music (which led him to play a right handed guitar upside down because he was left handed) led this event to happen in the first place when I decided to create tribute skateboarding decks in their honor. To motivate myself, I hung them in my home office. However, after a few days of having them displayed in my home office, I felt that others should feel the same overwhelming energy and good vibes so I contacted the world famous Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum and asked if they would be interested in me donating the decks so that people from all over the world could enjoy them. They gladly appreciated my gesture and decided to place them on permanent display. People really love them because there’s nothing like it there. Months later the museum contacted me and asked if I would like to be the first artist to ever takeover the museum with a solo art exhibition. I humbly said ‘yes’. It was a great event and I’m forever grateful. Love and gratitude are the hallmarks of all my art.
Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve always loved art since childhood. My father was an Aerospace Engineer (aka Rocket Scientist) and in the evening he worked as a night janitor cleaning up office buildings to make extra money to send myself and my siblings to the best private schools. During his few moments of free time he would take me to the museum and teach me about art and science. He would teach me about Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and the importance of blending art with science. I will never forget those lessons and moments. Witnessing my father’s strong work ethic to provide for his family, showing us nothing but love, is what drives me every day. Art to me is something that can bring people together visually without any words ever spoken. It’s one of the strongest elements we as humans have to communicate with one another. I never take its power for granted. I also want to delight, engage and inspire others with my art. When I create art I’m actually speaking from my inner self. Each brush stroke is a strong visual cue (similar to how sign language speaks to the hearing impaired) that communicates in a way that is authentic and not preachy. I want people to see something in my art that even I, as the artist, did not see. There’s nothing I love more than learning something new every day and being able to share my art with others. Consequently, I often work 24/7 in my art studio, forgetting to eat or sleep. These are some of the same things my father did when I was growing up so that I can do what I’m doing today.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, my goal with my art is to help others. There were so many times in my life that I needed help from friends or family members and they were unable to help me. I was down and out and even homeless for a period of time; yet strangers found me and helped me. I want to be that ‘stranger’ that helps others in need. Maybe it’s with a hug, a smile, food, shelter or money…but it’s never with judgement. It stems from unconditional love for my fellow brothers and sisters. One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever known is to have nothing and no one there to help me. That struggle was deeper than anything that I’ve ever felt and I never want another person to feel that way. When I’m creating art, I’m always thinking about how my work can reach beyond myself and touch others in a positive way that is long lasting.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes, I believe I’m currently and constantly pivoting as an artist and entrepreneur. I have a background in the entertainment industry, as a Sag/Aftra union member for 40 years, and I’m also a licensed luxury real estate agent and investor. To me, art and science go together like art and business. I was extremely fortunate to meet Andy Warhol when I was a teen and he told me that if I wanted to be a great artist I would need to be a great businessman too. I see art and business going hand in hand. I don’t care what business you’re in, if you can’t find a creative way to succeed, you’re not going to be in business for long. People need to understand that Art is in everything we do and everything we see; from a creative post or ad in social media to everything we see in nature. If you’re a business person you need to artfully articulate why someone should follow your suggestion and invest in your offering. And, most importantly, communicate how their business might not succeed or have the desired result if they don’t take certain actions. My luxury real estate clients are also some of my biggest art collectors. Many of them are A-list celebrities that I’ve known for decades during my 40 year career in the actor’s union.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michaelterry.art
- Instagram: 1MichaelTerry
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelterryproductionsdotcom
