Meet Terry Hinkle | Creative Guy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terry Hinkle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terry, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In the 30+ years that I was in the creative business of Advertising, I worked for some of the big ad agencies and also had my own agencies and creative businesses. Plus created a national meat marinade brand/company, created and owned a restaurant, hosted a nationally syndicated radio show that I created. So leaving the advertising and commercial art business and starting a Fine Art business was a very logical decision. I was a life long artist and now getting back to my “roots” was exciting. I quickly found that there were a few big difference- In Commercial Art, all clients need what you can do, you know exactly what to charge the client, and the best people make the most money. But in Fine Art… the public really does not need any of the artwork that you do, you have no idea what to charge, and the best and most talented artists are not always the ones making the most money.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I had a gust on my radio show years ago that asked the question “if you woke up tomorrow and were missing something about you that would be devastating, what would that be?” It took me all of one second to know what that would be I picked up a pencil that was on the desk and told her “if I woke up and did not know how to use this pencil, I would not know who I was.” Being able to draw, being a creative person defined me and my whole life was set on a creative path where everything happened because of my creative ability and being an artist.

Two reasons that I moved quickly up the ranks in Advertising was my ability to use both sides of my brain. The left “business” side to understand the clients marketing needs, and the right side to create a unique way to make the clients needs happen. Plus my ability to draw was always big plus. In the client meetings I could listen to what the client needed and quickly sketch a rough idea. The client always got excited to see these quick ideas. The other creatives in the meeting needed to find a comp artist to draw their ideas and take a few days to get back to the client. I won so many jobs that way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In every city I have lived. It is always about great food and entertainment. Plus visiting different galleries and museums.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that helped shape my life and my art. But it starts with my parents. I was adopted so my mom and dad had no idea about what I talents might possibly be so they gave me every opportunity to explore and were always very supportive. Since I could draw very well as a young child my parents made sure that I had all of the art supplies that I needed to try different media. And that beginning defined my whole life and who I am.

One unusual example of a “book” or ‘Books” that helped me be a successful artist were Eerie Magazine, Creepy Magazine, Vampirella Magazine and MAD magazine. I would take my allowance down to the corner drug store and get these magazines (the content was all art/drawings) set then my table at home and spend days trying to draw like the amazing artists in the magazines. I learned more from these magazines that my 4 years in art School. Also, in 7th grade I won an award for a big drawing of all of the greek gods. My dad was very proud, but pointed out the Venus looked a lot like Hercules. The next week he brought me a Playboy to see what women look like. That was life changing. haha

Website: www.hinkle-art.com

Instagram: @hinklecreative

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terryhinkle

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HinkleArt

Other: www.terryhinkle.com for commercial art

Image Credits
All artwork is mine. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle artwork is mine and done for Purina Kids cereal