Terri Schmitt

About me: designer, painter, personal chef

I am the daughter of an industrial engineer and an artist. My dad was the engineer, and I learned about spatial relationships and design from watching him build model airplanes. Both parents encouraged me to draw and to make things with my hands. My mother was so creative. It was the 70s, so she was home with us. She taught me to sew, which is something that I still love to do. We sang and played music and danced. Unfortunately, my mother passed away at an early age. I was 12 years old. Life changed pretty drastically and I took on big responsibilities, like cooking for our family. It was a scary and sad time.

I learned to work hard. I graduated from college and worked as a graphic designer for 20 years. In 2007, I trained at the Midwest Culinary Institute in Cincinnati, to be a personal chef. I operated a small catering and personal chef business for 3 years.

Since 2013, I have had the wonderful opportunity to refocus my career path, again, and to make fine art. Years of my childhood that were taken away by sadness and grief, have been returned. I have a wonderful life today.

Abstract paintings

My abstract work usually revolves around a common theme of interconnectivity and interaction. I strap two canvases together, and they become one. The movement of color, light and pattern across the canvases represents words of grace, kindness, mercy and love amplified and unfurled into the world at large.

I believe that it is through relationships that we heal and grow; and that our individual interactions with others can contribute to the flourishing of our society.

Still life paintings

In addition, I love to paint fruits and vegetables, often in watercolor or oil. During the first 40 days of the Covid lockdown, I did a lot of paintings at home. In 2019, I completed a series of 100 watercolor paintings of items from my kitchen. The project ties together my passions for food and painting. I have watercolor paintings of individual kitchen items available for sale as well as posters. The series is called The Painter’s Kitchen.

Design work and commissions

I love doing commission work. It is a joy to work with clients to create special paintings for their homes. We sit down and talk about ideas. I design a concept, then provide images to help the client visualize the concept, and then create and hang an original piece of art in their home. My paintings are held in private collections in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Texas.