We recently connected with Terri Connelly and have shared our conversation below.
Terri, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I believe my optimism comes from within. I know from a young age I always looked for what was good in a situation and how I could build from that. I won’t sugar coat something; I will point out what is good and why I am hopeful that it will be even better. There is the saying that hope is not a plan and I agree that hope in itself is not a plan. To be hopeful about something you have to be prepared to put in smart work, look at options, make calculated risks based on data and experiences for the best outcomes. It takes work.
Along my journey I read you have two choices, either look at life through the lens of negativity or positivity. I chose the later.
In some of the most difficult situations, I will dig deep inside and find a spark of light that ignites energy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a visual artist that primarily works with paint incorporating collage, mark making sometimes to add another level in creating my narrative. Intentional in my work wanting the viewer to see a message or story for them that is greater than my own.
My work has been describe as bold brush strokes, interesting use of colour that creates texture, movement and emotion.
I love what I do, I love the connection I have with nature, people and animals and solving problems. My art allows me to do this.
Over the past 2 years I have been gaining an audience across Canada and in the United States.
My work has been sold out 2 years in a row at the Anonymous Art Show raising money for the Art Community Public Programs.
I currently have Gallery Representation at the beautiful Keith Jack Studio & Gallery. Keith Jack is a world-renowned Celtic Jewelry Designer and Photographer. My ‘Respect our Neighbours’ bear series is currently showing in the Keith Jack Gallery. My series is about the behaviors of humans and the similarities with the intelligent bears. If we are open to learn and respect, we can coexist on this shared earth.
My Celtic Tree series is ongoing in Keith Jack Studio and Gallery, the harmony of my trees and Keith’s jewlery designs are beautiful. Keith Jack Studio and Gallery is at 21 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, BC. You can visit in person or on-line.
‘The Spirit of Seylynn Park’ has been selected for the You Are Here 2024 Calendar, and the original painting has been on display at the North Vancouver District Library and now at the West Vancouver Silk Purse Arts Council Gallery. This painting is of a fabulous skate park that is the oldest functioning skate park in Canada. The design and construction were done back in 1978 in consultation with some California architects and designed much like California swimming pools. Every July 1st holiday there is a fabulous skateboard competition held at this park and skaters come from all over. It is truly amazing to watch the athletes compete.
Staying curious, learning and evolving excites me. I continue to study with Master Mentors from around the globe through my art membership with Mastrius.com and attend workshops to grow.
This year my main focus is on two series. I want to keep you in suspension and have my viewers and collectors stay connected throughout this stormy year to see what unfolds. Ha! Come walk with me on my journey on my IG @tewc.art and on my website: paintingsbytewc.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Believing in yourself, having that optimism is key. Again, it is not with out work and being open to learn. I am reading a fabulous book right now titled ‘Factfulness-Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World-and Why Things Are Better Than You Think’ by Hans Rosling with Ola and Anna Rosling. A word Hans created is ‘possibilist’. You have hope with reason and you have fear for reason. I like to say I am a possibilist now. Another quote that one of my Corporate VP’s leaders would say “I reserve the right to be smarter today then I was yesterday” I just loved this. This is that humbleness to be prepared to learn from others and it is okay to change your mind if you have more knowledge now then you did yesterday. Definitely resilience is a skill that needs to be developed. It is like a muscle that has to be exercised, like an elastic band, being able to bounce back. Having failures are good, they teach us what works and what doesn’t. It is okay to feel insecure and fearful, but don’t stay there too long, fail early, fail often, but always fail forward, another great quote by John C Maxwell.
Keep open, keep learning and have fun in your journey!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
There are so many books I have read, and I am continuing to read. I would say one of the most impactful on me has been ‘The Power of Full Engagement’ by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. It is about your energy vs. time. We cannot change the number of hours in a day, but we can improve our energy for focus. Managing your energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal. So, while in the Corporate world I would use this learning with my teams and that we are Corporate Athletes. Now, as I am a full-time artist, I am an Artistic Athlete. I have created good habits for myself that supports me in all my ports of life, my health, friends, family and my artistic pursuits of creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: paintingsbytewc.com
- Instagram: tewc.art
- Facebook: Terri Connelly
- Linkedin: Terri Connelly
Image Credits
‘Walking the Line’ I used a reference photo from an excellent young photographer named Mehran Shaariati.
