Terrence Chambers

When did you first start drawing, and what inspired you to pursue traditional art?

It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly I first started drawing. It’s safe to say that it all began either before or after I started elementary school. Like most beginning artists, I started out doing stick figures before everything evolved in time. Among the things that inspired me to pursue traditional artistry are T.V. shows (cartoons in particular), comic books, and children’s books. Inevitably, these gave me the knowledge to create my own stories in the later years. In the beginning, I drew my own cartoons until I decided to try my hand at making other forms of art, just to add to my credentials. While I have participated in art classes in school, I pretty much became a self-taught artist, which paid dividends for me here and there.

Terrence Chambers | Deadly Diabetes Grip | 2025

You mentioned being a member of The Center for Emerging Visual Artists – how has this experience influenced your artistic development?

Truth be told, I’ve only been a member The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (or CFEVA for short) for a year and a half now. So my experience hasn’t been that big. Add on to the fact that my involvement with CFEVA has been limited due to my strict work schedule in my hometown, among other things. However, I continue to be on the lookout for any special occasions hosted by CFEVA, as well as other opportunities to showcase my craft and do some networking. In recent times, I’ve submitted some artwork for some exhibitions on at least a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, my efforts came to nought. While my experience wtyh CFEVA has been mixed at best, I’m still watching out for future opportunities with them.

Terrence Chambers | Denny The Peace Dove | 2023

Which materials and techniques do you most enjoy working with, and why?

Since my art is more traditional, the materials I’ve used tend to vary. Usually, these materials consist of artist pencils, as well as special artist pens. I’ve also utilized ordinary office supplies (#2 Pencils, rulers, etc.) whenever necessary. My style is very simplisitc: freehand drawing/sketching/illustrating. One of my more favorite technique I enjoy the mosts is adding details, including shading, in order to make an image stand out for a sense of aunthenticity. All the same, I’ve made it my point to keep both my style and technique pretty consistant.

Several of your drawings convey strong social messages – from health awareness to global unity. What inspires the themes behind these works?

It’s actually very simple: most of these projects were inspired by current events as well as my own personal experiences in life. Health issues, especially among the less fortunate, are one topic that always require some strict attention. One health problem I continue to cope with is Diabetes (diagnosed since October of 2001). A recent artpiece I made was my way of showing how my condition has affected me while also giving me the strength to deal with it. As for global unity, it should come to no surprise that I’d made world peace-centric artwork owing to the chaotic and unnerving times we live in. One such project I’ve made features a dove. Since the dove is referenced in The Bible (The Book of Genesis to be exact), it’s only appropriate that at least one of pieces of art features a dove. An acqauintance of mine once commented that there should be more peace on Earth, something I agreed with 100%. Whatever the topic may be, I’m hoping to use my talents to not only raise awareness on these issues but to also send a message to the world at large for the sense of making a change for the better.

Terrence Chambers | Enterprise City | 2025

Your works combine vivid color with comic-style storytelling – do you see them as part of a larger narrative or world you are building?

I’d have to say it’s a combination of both. Drawing cartoons has always been one of the things I love to draw the most. So it was inevitable that create my own universe. Yes, I enjoy doing my own storytelling and world building. But at the same time, I also wanted to write stories that focused on particular real-life issues: child abuse, poverty, bullying, climate change, to name some. After all, art tends to imitate life. These are topics I feel a certain way about owing to my own experiences over the years. Like most writers and artists, I’m also utilizing my art to not only entertain but to also educate, especially when it comes to writing stories that resonates and draws parallels to real-world issues. For instance, when drawing editorial cartoons or any other piece of art, the purpose is to make things relatable and appealing to everyday people. For a sense of doing a public service, my hope is for any organization to reach out to me, seeking my talents to either write a story, or at least do some piece of art, help raise awareness, and reflect, on society’s ills.

Terrence Chambers | Flower Decor | 2023

What message or feeling do you hope people take away after viewing your work?

While this may sound like a longshot, I’m hoping to use my artistic skills to give the general public, including the children, some hope for a better and brighter tomorrow. Likewise, at the very least, I’m also hoping to inspire others to take up the creative arts so that it would give them a chance to express themselves about the world around them in a certain way. For those who are already pursuing a career in the arts, I’d encourage them to use their gifts to not only entertain but to also make strides to help make a change. Should they come across an opportunity to utilize their talents to send a positive message for the better, they should seize. There’s always more than one way to make a difference in a rapidly changing world. And most of all, never give up on your dreams, no matter what.

Terrence Chambers | Pizza Night | 2024

If you could use one of your drawings to inspire change, which one would it be – and why?

If there’s one drawing that I’d use to inspire social change it would have to be one of my world peace-related artworks. As mentioned earlier, we live in a very dark and scary time, especially when there’s way too much hatred, war, and poverty. Needless to say, there’s hardly any togetherness among society, wherein a lot of guys couldn’t make peace with each other. It’s a time of great uncertainty, but it doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom. Humans can get organized and get better for the sake of change for a better and brighter tomorrow. Should my artwork succeed in helping establish global unity someday, in some trickle down effect, then dealing with the rest of society’s ills would be easy if everybody works together. More importantly, global unity begins with our children if we teach them well. I’d like to thank some of my relatives, friends and acquaintances who make up my support system, and assisted me throughout my endeavors. It really means a lot.