Ms. Sterling is an inspirational artist, life coach, teacher, author, and all-around human being. She has overcome many obstacles in her life, to reach the goals that she set out, even at a young age. Now, she continues to dream, to reach for those dreams, and to inspire others to do the same, encouraging them to not let anything that this world has to throw at them, hold them back from what they desire to achieve.

Please come, meet Ms. Terri Sterlin, and enjoy her art, her inspiration, and what she has to share with each of us.

I first decided that I wanted to be an artist when I was nine years old and my grandmother brought me a book on drawing animals. She thought it would be to hard for me to draw because it was meant for someone older, so she didn't give it to me for my birthday like she planned to, but instead put it on a shelf in her bedroom. I was in her room when I discovered the book and was so excited that she gave it to me. I kept that book for years and used it to draw. My uncle was also an artist. We weren't close, but my dad worked with him and he would send me the steps on how to draw a horse or other animals.

My first creation was to draw, than paint, and then in high school I fell in love with photography. I would spend my allowance to buy film every week and could never spend enough time photographing everything around me. My first 35 mm camera cost me $80, which I had managed to save over several months. When I finally learned that I had a progressive disability, I decided to fill my dreams, go to college, become a therapist, and later an artist. During college, I fell in love with the art of printmaking, and specifically etching. I love the drawing aspect, freedom, and tone that can be created with each print. The physical aspect, the patience, and the creative flexibility appealed to me.

I think my first memorable art piece would have been in my room where I would draw for hours. In high school, I won a series of competitions that led to becoming the "Photographer of the Year," and than I entered the NJ State Fair and became an award winning photographer there, as well.

I usually get up in the morning, answer emails, check out my social media and professional sites, and than spend some time marketing while I drink hot tea and have warm oatmeal. I love photography and printmaking, so lately I have been more engaged with photography, turning old books into homemade journals by gessoing the pages and drawing, painting, or affixing collages in them. I 've been creating lesson plans for some online class for book bloggers and publishers, and coaching other creative people on building their self-esteem, teaching them how to write press releases, increasing their business skills, helping them to manage their flow of ideas or lack of ideas, or helping them remove emotional blocks that prevent them from being more successful. I attend Tai Chi classes two to three times a week to manage my health, meet new friends, and meditate. Tai Chi can help people with movement disorders reduce stress. My prints can be found in Suzette's Stain Glass and Art Studio in Bulter, NJ with several other artist who use different mediums.

I have had several shows over the years and my prints can be found in Suzette's gallery. This year I was part of the Toms River Art Festival and I want to be involved in more festivals. Currently, I am in the process of creating an online website with a store, so people can purchase a copy online and than download it and print it out. I am hoping to reach more people this way and it will be easy for them to purchase a copy of my art or email me for an original piece. In the past, I have been involved in group shows that were fundraisers for abused children's social service program and I would like to be more involved in creating similar programs because it benefits the children and the artist.

Ms. Sterling is an inspirational artist, life coach, teacher, author, and all-around human being. She has overcome many obstacles in her life, to reach the goals that she set out, even at a young age. Now, she continues to dream, to reach for those dreams, and to inspire others to do the same, encouraging them to not let anything that this world has to throw at them, hold them back from what they desire to achieve.

My plan is to build my photography, printmaking, and painting sites and find more galleries to represent me. I also want to take still photographs for movie production sets. I had the opportunity to do that with the Zombie Etiquette show on channel 31 and really enjoyed being backstage with the actors, Lawrence Greenberg, and Marti Davis, who produced the show. I also want to mentor and coach more artists, writers, and executive directors of small to large business. I have a MA in psychology, a BA in research, and a BA in fine arts, with more than 18 years of experience in mental health therapy and coaching. Lately, I have been speaking to more executive directors of printing companies, writers, and book publishing and education directors, so I am hoping to mentor and coach some of them.

You can find part of my story on [my website] where there is some art work that I created while I was having major eye muscle problems and was losing my vision in various stages. I lost a great deal of my vision half-way through the image of the child on there, but I kept going. I had returned to college for fine arts because I was extremely sick and wanted to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional artist before it was too late. I managed to survived, when I didn't think I would live for more than a year, because of the kindness of mentors like Michele Crouse, and a student friend named Robert Albright. I don't think I would have lived had they not built friendships and encouraged me to succeed. The physical aspect of printmaking allowed me to reduce my stress, express myself, and slow down long enough to hear my own voice. Robert and his wife became good friends who opened their home to me, which allowed me to have a safe place where I could just be me. I became a leader for other students in my printmaking class and during open studio times.

I would love more connections on my links and pages (below). Also, I [sometimes have deals on coaching sessions].  Please see any link(s) in the "Connecting" section at the bottom of this interview; located adjacent to the relevant link reference(s).

In the words of Terri Sterling, from her Facebook page, "[I have] a MA in psychology, a BA in Fine Arts, and a BA in Research with over 17 years of experience working in non-profits. [I am] a professional artist who has created group shows to raise funding for children's programs."
Connecting with Terri Sterling :
	Artist Site :	creativesouls.wordpress.com
	FB Page :	facebook.com/pages/Two-Chairs-A-Desk-Creating-a-Life-Worth-Living/200901360007463
	FB Page :	facebook.com/pages/Terri-Sterling-The-Business-Side-of-the-Arts/111018365609084