Artist Biography

Hometown: Menomonee Falls, WI Artistic Endeavor: Experimental Watercolor and Acrylic Painting The Work: Her paintings are driven by a strong sense of design and use of geometric, futuristic shapes to create a mix of pop and cubism art. Honors: Finalist in Watercolor Category for the 2006 International Artist Magazine Annual Competition. Accolades: Started her own small business by opening a studio where she offers art lessons and small group parties. She is also the Founding President of the Art Guild of Menomonee Falls, and co-founder of a local gallery.

Terra began at a very young age expressing herself creatively through art. She studied art in high school and art education in college. She has always been attracted to forms of art that have allowed creative self-expression. Terra gained enough courage and ambition to open her studio, The Creative Corner, to the community and offer art lessons. After opening the studio, there was an underlying passion that Terra wanted to satisfy. The need always tugged at her when her classroom or studio students asked, “What is your specialty? What do you enjoy doing the most?” Terra’s answer was always very generic, “I studied everything in college so I could be a well-rounded art instructor to help my students achieve their personal best.” Terra has made a personal commitment to herself to find what she truly enjoys doing, not just instructing the creative process. As an adult in our society, we often forget about our dreams and inspirations. Our dreams are pushed aside with our everyday adult responsibilities. Terra has been fortunate through the youthful and uninhibited wisdom of her young daughter to wipe away the dust from her imagination and to dream without our society deeming it unworthy. It is in this dreaming that Terra finds her inner artist. She has always believed in three little words; inspiration is everything. Terra hopes her work will let others understand and enjoy the artistic journey she has imagined, dreamed and created. In all the things that Terra does, the basic component is curiosity and a quest for creative expression. The source of her inspiration has evolved from her imagination and what she would like displayed in her own home. She has always been drawn to color and all facets of interior design. Several of her art pieces have originated from an idea she had to redecorate her own home. She is passionate about creating original artwork that anyone can use to decorate their home or office and to help them celebrate the artful side of life. Terra loves to encourage creativity in others, helping them to find that inner artist that lives inside all of us through her artwork. Terra is currently an art instructor with the School District of Menomonee Falls. She also offers private individual and group lessons for youth and adults in her home studio. Terra thoroughly enjoys sharing her passion with her students of all ages.

Resume

EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
• Master of Science- Instructional Technology, August 1997
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
• Bachelor of Fine Arts- Art Education Major, June 1995

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• American Craft Council, ACC
• Art Guild of Menomonee Falls, AGMF ::Founding President
• League of Milwaukee Artists, LMA
• Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art, MATA
• Milwaukee Artist Resource Network, MARN
• Wisconsin Art Educators Association, WAEA
• Wisconsin Designers & Crafters Council, WDDA
• Wisconsin Regional Artist’s Association, WRAA

Wiscsonsin Visual Artists, WVA 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006 - Present
Owner/ Artist, Art by Terra, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Creates original experimental watercolor paintings, abstract acrylic paintings and decorative vases
• Design original artwork for the home, office, or a public space
• Provide free-lance assistance in the areas of illustration, graphic design, and interior design

2003 - Present
Owner/ Art Instructor, Creative Corner Art Studio, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Organize and promote adult and youth art classes, private lessons, and parties
• Instruct lessons on furniture painting, acrylic, watercolor, drawing, pastel, beaded jewelry, wire wrap beading, creative crafts, mosaics, and glass art

1997 - Present
Art Instructor, School District of Menomonee Falls, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Plan, prepare, and instruct daily curriculum for 125 students, grades 9 - 12
• Plan and implement student artwork for local and state art exhibits
• Public Relations Chair for Youth Art Month
• Art Club and National Junior Art Honor Society Advisor
• Designed North Junior High Logo
• Art Curriculum Subcommittee member
• Presenter at local and state art and technology conferences
Art Education Honors
• Professional Development Certificate
• Cooperating Teacher Certification for Student Art Teachers
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
• Superintendent’s Child Advocacy Award
• Nominated for Teacher of the Year

HONORS & AWARDS
2009
• Merchandise Certificate, $50 Blick Art Materials, 68th MATA Membership Exhibition, “Devotion”
• State Award, Wisconsin Regionalist Artist Association Regional Exhibition, Schauer Arts Center

2008
• State Award, Wisconsin Regionalist Artist Association Regional Exhibition, West Allis, WI
• $500 MATA Award, 67th MATA Membership Exhibition, “Courage”
• Sponsor Purchase Award, Sax Arts and Crafts, “Solomon Juneau Ale”
• Honorable Mention, Before the Storm, Museum of Wisconsin Art, WI

2007
• Wisconsin Dental Association Collection, Private Business Purchase, 7 large acrylic & 2 small watercolors
• Finalist, Forward Now, “Wisdom”, Charles Allis Art Museum, WI

2006
• University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh Collection, Purchase 6 large watercolors from solo exhibit
• Purchase Award, WEA Art Showcase, Madison, WI
• Merit Award, Wisconsin State Art Exhibition, Madison, WI
• Finalist, Experimental Category, 23rd Annual Artist Magazine International Competition
• State Award, Wisconsin Regionalist Artist Association Regional Exhibition, West Allis, WI
• Portal Wisconsin, Juried On-line Exhibition/ Gallery

EXHIBITIONS

See Exhibitions Page of website

GALLERY EXPERIENCE
2010

• Creative Expressions Art Gallery, Mequon, WI
• Stanford Art Gallery, Menomonee Falls, WI
2009
• Creative Expressions Art Gallery, Mequon, WI
• Stanford Art Gallery, Menomonee Falls, WI
2008
• Stanford Art Gallery, Menomonee Falls, WI
2007
• Current Art Gallery, Menomonee Falls, WI
2006
• Current Art Gallery, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Mio Bella, Brookfield, WI
2005
• Artistic Presence, Menomonee Falls, WI

COMMISSIONS
• Watercolor, Private Residence, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Acrylic Canvas Series, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Watercolor, Private Residence, Mequon, WI
• Wire and Bead Art, Private Residence, Golden, CO
• Wire and Bead Art, Private Residence, Brookfield, WI
• Interior Design, Private Home, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Graphic Design work for Le Marche, French Country Store, Hartland, WI
• Illustration work for Center Stage, Dance Organization, Menomonee Falls, WI

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
2009
Silent Auction, Hope Network, Menomonee Falls, WI
Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
Silent Auction, Children’s Winter Carnival, Student Council of Menomonee Falls High School, Menomonee Falls, WI
2008
Silent Auction, Hope Network, Menomonee Falls, WI
Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
Silent Auction, Children’s Winter Carnival, Student Council of Menomonee Falls High School, Menomonee Falls, WI
2007
Silent Auction, Hope Network, Menomonee Falls, WI
Silent Auction, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Oshkosh, WI
Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
2006
• Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Silent Auction, Hope Network, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Silent Auction, Children’s Winter Carnival, Student Council of Menomonee Falls High School, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
2005
• Donation, Arts in the Arbor Tree, Executive Residence, Madison, WI
• Silent Auction, “Couture for a Cure”, Women for MACC, Milwaukee, WI
• Silent Auction, “The Road”, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Silent Auction, Hope Network, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Silent Auction, Jordan Krall Fundraiser, North Junior High Campus, Menomonee Falls, WI
• Auction, “Saturday Night Recess” Playground Fundraiser, Shady Lane Elementary School, Menomonee Falls, WI
2004
• Auction and Silent Auction, Scholarship & Educational Foundation, Menomonee Falls, WI
All artwork/photographs appearing in this Web Site are the property of Terra Chmielewski/Art by Terra and are protected under United States and International copyright laws. The artwork/ photographs may not be reproduced, stored, or manipulated without the written permission of the artist.