Terralynn Lake was born and raised in Michigan. She is a self-taught artist, her first piece being a magnet drawing on the wall such as those little magnetized letters you play with as a child. Lake enjoyed and developed a good base of skills in a 4-H ceramics class and was taught the importance of detail, and to finish your work. She also learned a myriad of faux finish techniques and continued her work in high school and into adult life.
Lake started street painting about seven years ago when she met Lee Jones (last years festival featured artist). Jones was in Michigan on an Artist in Residence Grant and it was her job to show her around town. They became fast friends and Jones became her mentor.
GSH: “Who is Terralynn Lake?”
TL: “I am the Project Director at the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce (MI) by trade. I am an artist at heart. AND I am obsessed with the ocean. I will live by the sea at some point in time. I am also a mother and grandmother and I love being both. I have always described myself as highly faceted and eclectic, because I love so many things.”
GSH: “Did you ever think that you would have a successful career? Have you won any awards?”
TL: “Hmmm, career. My day job is a career and I am good at it, that can be interpreted as success. I am still building my art career. I feel successful because I am finally doing art. I am always looking for more opportunities and always researching and trying to learn more.”
“I have won a few awards. As a matter of fact, right here at last years Chalk Under the Oaks I received both Best Reproduction of a Master and People’s Choice. I also received Best Reproduction of a Master last year in Mt. Pleasant and this year in Petosky, Michigan.”
GSH: “Can you share one of your favorite stories from another festival?”
TL: “My favorite chalk festival so far is in Sarasota, Florida. It is an International festival with around 250 artists from all over the world. It is exciting and humbling all at once. There is so much phenomenal talent all in one place. It is like an enormous, long lost family that just got together for a reunion. We had so much fun; we learned from each other and developed great friendships.”
“I took my son last year. He is also a street painter. At 22 and like most kids, only partially listens to his mom. Watching him experience what I had the year before was so much fun. He grew immensely from one event. Totally amazing.”
GSH:” What is your favorite thing to do in your time off?”
TL: “This, street painting is what I like to do. It is currently my hobby not my job. I also love to travel. I am a big fan of all things Caribbean and the ocean. My other favorite thing is a person, my little granddaughter Evey. She is my world. Can’t wait to teach her how to chalk.”
GSH: “What can we expect from a Terralynn Lake chalk drawing today?”
TL: “Well obviously I like to do Master work reproductions. I also like to reproduce photos that I take or images I create from collage photo editing. What will I be doing at this years event? That is still in the design stage. Likely something with wine and music, two more things that I enjoy.”
GSH: “Where is your favorite place to draw on the Grand Strand?”
TL: “Wherever Chalk Under The Oaks is being held of course!”
GSH: “What is your favorite thing to do on the Grand Strand?”
TL: “Walk the beach. For the very reason it got its name(Grand Strand). It stretches on and on and you could walk until you were exhausted with nothing to impede you. You never know what you will see. The birds, dolphins, shells, dogs, children. It is all so beautiful.”
GSH: “What advice do you have for budding artists?”
TL: “Keep at it. Never stop learning, never stop trying. Experiment until you find your passion and and then stick with it and develop your talent.”
GSH: “What do you want the readers to know about you?”
TL: “I am an advocate for Bring Change to Mind. It is an organization started by Glenn Close to help stop the stigma for mental illness. Take the oath. I did.”
For more information on Terralynn Lake, check out her website at Get your Chalk On.
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