We recently connected with Terry Wise and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Terry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Earning a living as an artists is NOT easy! Ever heard the term “starving artist”? Well, that’s the way it is sometimes in this field. It’s either feast or famine. Especially during the covid shut downs of 2020 and 21. Im fortunate to have a skill set that is unique (in the kind of artwork I do) and in demand.

It all started years ago when I was invited to do A-Kon in Dallas. I was offered a free booth at the con if I was willing to teach a leather crafting class that lasted 45 minutes. I was working full time at Leather Masters in Dallas, so I knew a thing or two about leather. I figured what the hell, I’ll teach a quick book binding class and sell some of my books at the convention. Little did I know that the class would be filled to maximum occupancy and I would sell out of my book designs on day 1! I had a line of people at my booth ALL weekend of the con as I created custom leather bound journals and sketch books for people. I made more money in that first weekend than I did at LM in a month! I knew this was the life I wanted for myself. I just needed to up my game, a LOT.

First, I needed to build a full workshop at home, which took over a year. All the while I was booking gigs at different conventions like Comic con (and SO many others). Id take the money I made at those gigs and reinvest in myself by purchasing equipment and supplies for my home workshop. Eventually I was booking enough weekend gigs that I could afford to quit my 9-5 job. This was TERRIFYING! It was very a much a sink or swim moment in my life. Im so happy I took the chance on myself.

Over the years I have developed my talent for leather work and improved my skills. I’ve invented a whole new kind of art that no one else on the planet does! This has been a very organic growth of my skill set and my drive as an artist. I wouldn’t want to give myself the knowledge of how I do this now. Learning it was rewarding in itself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those folks out there that dont know me. Let me introduce myself. My name is Terry Wise. Im a 51 yr old fashion designer and artist living in Conroe Tx. How I got into this business was pure happenstance. I was in the right place at the right time to get invited to do something outside my comfort zone. I took a chance on doing a new thing just for the sake of doing it.

Over the years I have designed high end jackets for TV, movies and the occasional rock star. But these are rarities. My day to day income comes from my small art designs: 3D sculpted leather wall art, books, back packs, boxes, purses and so much more. I do mostly my own art stuff for conventions. Typically gearing what I design for the theme of that particular convention. Along the way I pick up custom work for people that love what I do and my style of doing it. They just want it specific to them. Not a problem! Each custom piece is always a challenge of sorts. But I sit down and talk with the client (typically) face to face or via a Zoom call. Hammer out all the details of a project so that I can make it as true to their vision as possible. When it comes to custom leather clothing (jackets, pants, etc) I will go so far as to do prototypes in vinyl first. long before ever touching leather. This way the client can try on the garment and make sure every seam line hits perfectly before I ever cut a single scrap of leather. ‘Cause when you’re making a $5,000 leather jacket, you want to get it right, the first time!

If you want to see the newest leather creations make sure to follow me on Instagram @Sculptured_Skins or look me up on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Nozama

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I do think its a bit crazy that some people are making millions off a piece of art that doesn’t even exist in the real world. But, if you have the money to buy it with, why not!

Im just starting to learn about NFTs. I find it fascinating actually. Im actually looking for someone to help me set up NFTs I’d create that go with the real life version of that art I created in leather. Being able to own the only real life physical object and its one of a kind NFT. Wouldn’t that be interesting. Is that even a thing yet?

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Aside from being able to pay my bills LoL. I truly do enjoy seeing how my work evokes an emotional response in people. One of my favorite things is doing a fashion runway show. I never even look at my designs on the runway. I’ve seen those enough. Im intent on the audience. I want to see how my designs make them react. That old saying about “Cloths make the man” its true (for anyone wearing my fashion, not just men). When you look amazing in a one of kind piece crafted just for you. It WILL affect how you walk and interact with those around you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sculpturedskins.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nozama

Image Credits
I either took the pics or was the only person’s face showing in the pics