Check Out David Terrill’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Terrill.

Hi David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am an Ohio-born dad, husband, short-order breakfast cook, mower of lawns, sketchbook addict, illustrator, and teacher. My journey has taken me from a Miami University college student (working summers as a steelworker) to an Associate Professor of Illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Before moving to Kansas City, I was an illustrator for newspapers and magazines. In the early 90s, I was recruited by Hallmark Cards as a greeting card artist. I quickly fell in love with KC (and my wife) and have been here ever since. This city has been a great place to raise my family.

From an early age, the one constant in my life has been art. It has always been my safe place where I could escape the stresses of life. As a child, I created artwork with anything I could get my hands on. I think most people feel this way at the beginning of their lives. As we grow older, for some, it changes, and we stop making things. We don’t feel compelled anymore. I think the word “compelled” is a perfect description of how I feel about making art. Compelled means to “feel obliged” or “driven to do something”.

I had no formal art training growing up. My parents supported my creative side and found community art classes for me to attend. Later in high school, with no art classes available, I was left to finding my way. I recall getting into trouble for drawing during class. The sketches would get confiscated by my instructors. I found out years later that my history teacher had kept all the drawings I had made in his classes. He had loved them. Perhaps it touched a long-lost part of him when he used to make art as a child?

I don’t remember the first time I went to an art museum. The illustrations in magazines, comics, books, and the artwork on the packaging of board games and toys were my first exposure to visual arts of any kind. These objects were my museums. I imagine this exposure took me down my path of making and teaching illustration.

I have worn quite a few hats since moving to KC. Freelance illustrator, in-house illustrator, designer, art director, creative director for various Kansas City agencies, and teacher/mentor. In 2012 I moved into higher education full-time, taking my years of experience and passing them on to young creatives as an Associate Professor of Illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute. I am in my dream job (not many of us can say that) and thankful to be part of such a fantastic school and illustration faculty. I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to work with, teach and mentor these talented young people. I pass on my experiences to them, and in turn, they teach me. One of my favorite classes is the Micro Agency course that I teach. It is a student-based agency creating work for area Kansas City businesses. To find out more about Micro, visit http://microkcai.com or view my ICON9 The Illustration Conference MIcro presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0-jO5RI1I&t=26s

In addition to teaching, I am a Creative Director/Director of Talent at C3. I direct the paid creative internship program. This program brings in students from area schools to work in an agency environment. Visit https://c3brandmarketing.com/internships/ for more info about C3 internships.

I continue to create things. The focus of my work most recently has turned to my sketchbook practice and travel. This direction allows me to combine my art with spending time with my family. I take my sketchbook everywhere we visit. In 2017 we took a life-changing trip to China chronicling our adventures in my sketchbook journal. If you would like to read more about this adventure, download the PDF of the illustrated paper I wrote for ICON10, The Illustration Conference here: https://icon10.theillustrationconference.org/speaker/david-terrill/

My recent works feature transferring my drawings to an aluminum metal surface. Perhaps this is a nod to my steelworker past? All these years later, this experience still proves to be a visceral part of my life experience and education. These works can be viewed in a group show entitled Ambiguous exhibited at the Carter Art Center Gallery at MCC Penn Valley, September 30-December 2, 2021.

None of my accomplishments would be possible without the support and love of my family. Success is defined in many ways. I consider myself successful in that I have a healthy, loving wife and children, a career I enjoy and live in a community I deeply love.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Yes, there have been plenty of challenges along the way. I have experienced job layoffs (3 times), heartache, and loss.

My advice to overcome life’s obstacles is to stay curious and focused on the road ahead. Relevancy will result from the curiosity you bring to the situation at hand. Perseverance is key.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Most of my work is unscripted, utilizing imperfect mark-making that is influenced by observation and imagination.”

My recent work is derived from years of sketchbook experimentation with natural media mark-making. I apply this traditional knowledge of line, texture, and shape to investigate image creation in various ways. Fearless mark-making, paired with bold visual textures, create compelling and diverse imagery, emphasizing the spontaneity of life with shades of allegory, all within a new media experience.

My sketchbook (in its many forms) is my constant companion. I enjoy recording life’s events, taking inspiration from what I observe, applying it to new areas of art making. I enjoy experimentation, trial and error and a serendipitous nature of working. I feel centered while spending time in my sketchbook, forming a connection with the environment around me. This idea of “feeling centered” led me to the works of Frederick Franck. In his handwritten and illustrated book, The Zen of Seeing, Seeing/Drawing as Meditation, Franck writes about experiencing the world by participating in that particular moment in time and seeing it with new eyes. He calls it seeing/drawing. Becoming the thing, the object, the person you are drawing. Heartily giving yourself over to your surroundings as you record it. Making a connection with the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds that arrive with any situation.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Curious is a word I use a lot and equate with risk, success and reward. Staying interested and curious about what you are doing in your life is a sure way to stay relevant. This doesn’t occur without some risk taking.

A few years ago, I took a risk leaving a secure job to follow my heart to teach full-time. I was able to come up with a solution by going to my employer and sharing my desire to teach full-time. We worked it out. If I wasn’t curious and hadn’t inquired about the career evolution, I would not be where I am today. I now have the best of both worlds. Don’t be afraid go after what you want in life. The worst thing that can happen is you are told “no”. If this happens, you know and you move forward with a new plan. I believe if you don’t take risks in life, you will be left wondering what would have happened in the future.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.davidterrill.com/
• Instagram: sublime.apparatus
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-f2D7ao2e_xOvHopE4VIQ/featured
• Other: https://icon10.theillustrationconference.org/speaker/david-terrill/