Terry Thirion
PAINTER, MIXED MEDIA ARTIST
Artist Statement
As a painter and mixed media artist I work with materials that vary greatly and are chosen in relation to the subject matter.
I use textiles, current event newspaper clippings of current events. I also collect reference materials by sketching and photographing on site. Through an intuitive body of work, I express a fundamental sentiment of light and joy, represented in bold colors, a sudden curve or random marks.
I often paint surrounded by music which helps me get “in the zone”. It now becomes a dance with the canvas. My paintings are about life. Sometimes linear and well organized with problems resolved. Other times they may be messy and unclear. While making art I do not experience time. If there is anxiety, it is allowed to dissipate.
If there is joy it can express itself as well. This work is a manifestation of acceptance and being present to the next brushstroke, the next line.
I use acrylics and oils. But that is not all, I use simple tools like tree sticks, and black walnut ink that I make myself from walnuts which grow in my backyard.
The Habitat series has evolved out of reading about the loss of amphibians. These images are inspired by natural landscapes, water and particularly the edges of ponds and small creeks.
The fragility of all living things, frogs, moths, birds, even people being displaced and all this interconnectedness are what draw me to the canvas. I may even sit at the edge of a river with a box of pastels and express my love or sadness about these places.
Personal Information
Born in Belgium, Terry Thirion studied and graduated from the Parmentier School of Design in Brussels Belgium. She attended the Arts Academie in Leuven Belgium, Broward College in S. Florida and Braitman Studios in Charlotte NC.
Terry has served as curator and as professional juror in several exhibits in Charlotte, North Carolina. Terry has worked for over a decade to promote fine art in the greater Charlotte area. She has held many leadership responsibilities including, Program Development, Exhibition Management and President of the Board of the Charlotte Art League. She also serves as curator for the art work exhibited in local establishments.
In 2021, Terry opened Gallery339 Hot Springs, the first fine art gallery in the town of Hot Springs, in the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the new gallery, she produced arts exhibitions for local artists, classes in portraiture and pleine air painting events. Gallery339 features Terry’s paintings and prints, as well as fabric, ceramic, wood and mixed media of other artists in the area.
Artist Statement
As a painter and mixed media artist I work with materials that vary greatly and are chosen in relation to the subject matter.
I use textiles, paper articles, acrylics, inks and sometimes just oil paints. I collect reference materials by sketching and photographing on site. Through this intuitive body of work, I express a fundamental sentiment of light and joy, represented in bold colors, a sudden curve or random marks.
I often paint surrounded by music which helps me to set aside political and social concerns that might otherwise get in the way of my self expression. It now becomes a dance with the canvas. My paintings are about life. Sometimes linear and well organized with problems resolved. Other times they may be messy and unclear. While making art I do not experience time. If there is anxiety, it is allowed to dissipate.
If there is joy it can express itself as well. This work is a manifestation of acceptance and being present to the next brushstroke, the next line.
The Habitat series has evolved out of reading about the loss of amphibians. They are inspired by natural landscapes, water and particularly the edges of ponds and small creeks.
The fragility of all living things and their interconnectedness are what empowers me to take action. I may sit at the edge of a river with a box of pastels or in my studio where I express my love or sadness about these places.
I use acrylics and oils and paint on canvas. But that is not all, I use simple tools like tree sticks, inks and black walnut ink that I make myself from walnuts which grow in my backyard. I am not an illustrator rather I express a sentiment, a feeling when drawing images.
Personal Information
Born in Belgium, Terry Thirion studied and graduated from the Parmentier School of Design in Brussels Belgium. She attended the Arts Academie in Leuven Belgium, Broward College in S. Florida and Braitman Studios in Charlotte NC.
Terry has served as curator and as professional juror in several exhibits in Charlotte, North Carolina. Terry has worked for over a decade to promote fine art in the greater Charlotte area. She has held many leadership responsibilities including, Program Development, Exhibition Management and President of the Board of the Charlotte Art League. She also serves as curator for the art work exhibited in local establishments.
In 2021, Terry opened Gallery339 Hot Springs, the first fine art gallery in the town of Hot Springs, in the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the new gallery, she produced arts exhibitions for local artists, classes in portraiture and pleine air painting events. Gallery339 features Terry’s paintings and prints, as well as fabric, ceramic, wood and mixed media of other artists in the area.