Mr Terry Wise shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Terry, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I find this rather funny honestly. Definitely a wanderer and I’ll tell you why. I have ADHD and ADD. “Squirrel!” (if you know, you know). Thing is, I have learned to channel these traits into my art. It allows (and tortures) me to be able to add the most fantastic details to my work that I dont think Id be able to do otherwise. Foor those out there that struggle with ADHD and or ADD i encourage you to take a deep look at what it does to you and see if you can use it to your advantage. It’s not easy but I feel it can be channeled as a superpower!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For those that dont know me, yet. My name is Terry Wise. I’m a 55 year old artist and designer I am the owner of my own company / brand: Sculptured Skins. I love to create unique leather artwork. Yeah, leather. I know it sounds a little nuts but once you see my work you’ll realize there isnt anything else like it on the planet. Sculpted and molded leather that can become … well, anything! If it casts a shadow I can turn it into 3D leather art. Depending on the piece, it might be as simple asa a dragon face with a glass eye looking out of the leather and staring into your soul. Or a complex and deep piece like the facehugger coming out of an egg. Deep colors that are both painted and dyed into the leather creating other worldly shadows and depth.
Some of the easier pieces arent sculpted leather but laser etched and paintied leather. These pieces can be reproduced, unlike the 3D sculptes (each of those is completely unique since they are hand cut and molded). I can take pictures frrom pop culture anime or even a photograph of you and turn it into leather etched art! If you are looking for something unique, you just found the right artist to create it for you!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There was a very specific conversation that changed my life forever. I had flown to Chicago to audition for Project Runway season 3 (Thanks to my friend Aspen Tyler for giving me the plane ticket to go!) I met with Tim Gunn to audition. He looked through my portfolio (pathetic little thing that it was at the time) and asked me “Where did you goto school?”. I replied “No where, I am self taught.” He closed my book and looked at me. I froze in fear “Im not getting on the show because I didnt goto school?” I asked with my voice shaking. He smiled and sweetly told me, “No, your not getting on this season because I want to see you in Parsons. If you are this talented now just imagine what you could create if you were properly trained?!” This led to a longer conversation and me making the decision to walk away from the bars (working in and running night clubs for nearly 20 years) and going o fashion college. Changing everything. Not only did I walk away from a lifestyle, I walked away from doing a lot of drugs and drinking. Sobriety changed my view of my life choices and focus on what was important. I look back to those days and wonder how I survived a lot of the things I did. Im still grateful to Tim for helping me see what I was capable of and to believe in myself. One conversation …. one moment in time … can change everything.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Be grateful for what you have! Too often we grow complacent with things and people in our lives. Im still guilty of this but I try to remind myself of what I used to NOT have that I do now. When you are wishing for that “next big thing” just think back a year (or 20 years). Did I have this then? Do I really need it now? Who was the person that was there for you when no one else was? Being grateful for the moments/people/things we have isn’t something that success or money can give. That old saying of “Money doesn’t buy happiness” is only partially true “It just rents it” should be added.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Thats an easy one: Dolly Parton. Im not a huge country music fan but Dolly has always taken my breath away with her voice (Steel Magnolias is STILL my fav movie of all time). But what I truly love about her is what she does for others. She has given millions of dollars away to help those that needed it. Created libraries for kids to be able to read, created housing projects for people to be able to live inside instead of under a bridge. Her philanthropic endevors and far too numerous to list here. Suffice it to say I have always admired her for that. If I was ever able to meet her, Id just want to give her a big ol’ hug and say “Thank you for being unapologetically you!”
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I live each day for what it is. Taking in every sight and sound around me. As Dolly Parton once said “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours”. I think this is a wonderful way to live life.
Every day I meet new people and engage with them. I want everyone I have ever met to have a story of “The first time I met Terry!” or “One time when we …”
Being remembered for my art would be awesome of course. But I am more than my creations. I am the crazy horn hat wearing free spirit that will dance with you in the grocery store isle or talk in a crazy accent just to make someone smile.
As Mame once said “Life is a banquet and most poor sons of bitches are starving to death!”
Image Credits
Thanks to my friend Video Bob for providing such an awesome pic of him wearing the Judas Preist jacket I made.
