Tell us your name and a little about yourself.
My name is Peter Terrin, I’m a contemporary visual Artist originally from Belgium now living and working from my studio and Gallery on the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Painting is my mistress, my wife, my oxygen, my friend – a complete addiction.
What exactly does your company do?
My Company, TerrinArt, was established about 12 years ago when I took a leap of faith to become a full-time artist. It was the best decision I ever made as it has allowed me to earn a living doing something I am absolutely passionate about.
What were the biggest challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Making the decision to become a full-time artist was not as easy as I was forced to overcome many obstacles and challenges. The top three challenges were how to value my work, manage my business and market my art.
Although I had some experience with traditional brick and mortar Art Galleries in Europe, I knew I’d have to find a way to get my work in front of a larger audience to sustain a viable business. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram were emerging giving me the tools I needed to expand my audience. Through consistently posting pics of my art and diligently responding to questions and comments, I was able to build an International following in excess of 140,000 people many of whom have become members of the “TerrinArt family” of Collectors by purchasing my work. Additionally, through social media, many Art Galleries have reached out to me and now exhibit my art.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
Had I been given a roadmap of how to build my art career it would emphasize the importance of social media and how to unleash its power. Understanding how to capture an audience by posting good quality pics that artfully demonstrate the hallmark of your work. Finding a niche, technique or style and sticking to it is vital to establishing yourself in a crowded field. An example is my work is large scale so for me, it’s important to post images that make that abundantly clear by placing an object or myself next to the work. Equally important is to take the time to respond to comments in an honest, kind and respectful manner as this goes a long way in building a relationship.
Who are your biggest influences and people you admire and why?
I admire by many great artists such as:
Andrew Salgado, Canadian artist, now living and working in London. He has a beautiful style, always reinventing himself with every exhibition. Great use of colors and different media.
Chuck Close for his unique style and discipline.
Sam Dillemans, Belgium artist, passionate and obsessed with his craft. I love seeing or reading interviews with him. Not only is he a very talented artist but he is also extremely smart and well educated.
Trite as it may sound, my highest admiration is for my parents who instilled a work ethic in me. Despite not fully grasping the concept of earning a living as an Artist, they supported my decision with a single caveat – I attend an art school to get a formal education in the field.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I’ve been fortunate to have many life-altering and incredible experiences throughout my journey. The most pivotal was through a couple who gave me an opportunity to pursue my art career when I was literally on my last dime and seriously considering giving up on my dream. They believed in me, provided me with shelter in their villa in exchange for a few paintings. Through their guidance, I was given the confidence boost I needed along with invaluable business advice I desperately needed to build my business as an Artist. This couple still stands by my side and I am forever grateful.
What do you see as your greatest success in life?
This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many successes in my multifaceted life.
I am currently constructing my first home/studio/gallery – an accomplishment I never imagined I’d achieve in my wildest dreams.
I have successfully competed in numerous Iron Man races around the world – a sport completely different from my profession yet intertwined by the same values of determination, consistency, and passion.
I am humbled by young and aspiring artists who see me through the similar eyes I saw my art hero’s through eager to learn my technique or style of painting.
I am living my dream.
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