Pretty Pastels
Terri Moore captures pets perfectly in art
Story and photos contributed by Terri Moore
Terri Moore started doodling at a young age, and has always loved to draw and paint. She did a lot of art work in pen and ink when she was younger, doing many pet portraits as gifts for family and friends. She didn’t have a lot of time to work on her art while running her business, but about 10 years ago started taking adult ed classes for painting and drawing.
She joined a local art club, where she met artists using many different mediums, and liked the look of pastels. She took lessons from two artists from the group, one of whom is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America. “I found that I really love working with pastels, and love the look of the colors I can get with pastels,” Terri said. Terri began doing Pet Portraits as gifts, but as other people saw her work, they asked her to do portraits of their pets, so she started her business, Art by Terri Moore. “I love painting animal portraits and capturing their spirit and colors that nature gave them that we don’t always see,” she said. “Making the pet come alive on paper is something I really enjoy.”
Many people have had pet portraits commissioned as gifts for family and friends, as well as for themselves. Pet portraits make great gifts. Said one client, “Best gift I’ve ever gotten in my life. Very moved. Speechless.”
Another client, who commissioned a portrait of his daughter’s dog as a gift said, “I reached out to Terri when I saw her work advertised on Next Door. As my daughter in Connecticut just lost her precious dog, I contacted Terri and sent some pictures. A few weeks later Terri contacted me and said it was finished. Myself and my wife went to get the picture - we both looked and said OMG, it was so perfect and REAL we had tears in our eyes! Terri was happy we were happy. I sent the portrait framed up to my daughter and they all cried when they opened it.“
Terri took a CAMS class with another Pastel Society of America member this fall, and is taking another class and workshop this winter and is looking forward to taking other workshops as they become available.
Terri and her husband Billy Moore moved to the Shelmore neighborhood of Brunswick Forest in Leland from Long Island, New York three and a half years ago.
“We love it here in Leland,” she said, “The town has much to offer, especially with the Cultural Arts Center, and so many more shops and restaurants are coming. We have made so many new friends in our community and have such a great time getting together with them. We love the proximity to the beaches and enjoy going to Wilmington for different events.”
Terri and Billy both got jobs when they came to Leland. Billy worked as the purchasing manager for Sturdy Corporation in Wilmington and Terri worked for the City of Wilmington, in the Finance Department.
Before coming to North Carolina, Billy worked in procurement in several different companies in the electronics/aerospace fields and Terri owned a business selling recreational vehicles. They both love to travel and camping, and have camped in many states, and even in New Zealand. Both enjoyed many years on the water being avid boaters and Terri showed her horses in the horse reining circuit.
Both Terri and Billy retired this year, and are starting to get involved in the many activities in Brunswick Forest. Terri is taking art workshops, learning to play Mahjong and belongs to her neighborhood book club. Billy has a Harley Davidson Fat Boy and is a member to the Hogs in the Forest. Billy also enjoys building RC models.
They both enjoy taking classes at the Fitness Center, walking, and bicycle riding in Brunswick Forest and hope to learn to play golf and pickle ball. They also love traveling and look forward to the opportunity to see different places in North Carolina, the USA and the world.
Terri also paints landscapes and still life’s and is looking forward to painting many North Carolina landscapes. “I really love the sky and the sunsets, as well as the beaches and marshes. There are some beautiful sunsets here in North Carolina and I can’t wait to start painting them,” she said.
At Terri’s website, ArtbyTerriMoore.com, you can see many of the pictures she has painted under the galleries tab, broken down by the different types, including updates on her newest work. Under the New Paintings tab are many of her recent pictures with the sizes of the pictures. Many of her pet portraits are dogs, but Terri has also painted horses, cats and birds. Prices vary depending on the size and medium. While pastel is her favorite, she also works in acrylics and colored pencils.
Terri is a member of the Art League of Leland, and a member of CAMS. She is also a member of the Pastel Society of NC, as well as the Coastal Pastel Society of North Carolina, a group that will be holding a show at the Leland Art Cultural Center in the near future. She is working with several art gallery’s and historic houses downtown to have art shows in the future. You can contact Terri at 631-767-5525, or at Terri@artbyterrimoore.com or on Facebook by searching “Art by Terri Moore”.
