Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrence Lewis.
Hi Terrence, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
So, I’ve been creating art pretty much all my life but let’s fast forward of how I found my purpose and the reason why I do what I do with my art. When I was 25 for the longest time, I felt like my body was feeling off and about 9 months later I’m now 26, and I found out my kidneys failed! Ya, I was bummed out about that, fell into a deep depression, I felt lost and not knowing what the future holds for me but as time went on, I had to learn to be content with where I was and what I was going through. If I told you in complete detail what happened to me, I would need to write a book, but I’m just giving you a brief part of it. So as time went on, I was always in and out of the hospital, a handful of close calls to death knocking at my door, but GOD had other plans for me. My health was slowly getting worse and worse each year and time was running out for me, my grandmother dies in 2020, and the week of her passing I started having heart palpitations. The worst thing you can think of the first time it happened I thought I was having a heart attack, and I was texting people my last goodbyes. I was home alone and couldn’t drive my mother had to rush home and take me to the emergency room. I couldn’t even go to my own grandmother’s funeral cause I had to spend that day in the hospital. So as time went on, I’m still on my usual dialysis schedule 3 days a week for four-hour sessions on the machine. So, let’s skip to about Oct 23, 2021, I’m sitting down watching tv and my phone has been calling nonstop so I ignored it, so that same number calls my mother’s phone and my mother says. “Terrence, that same number that was calling you is calling me; you might want to call them back.” So, I get up feeling disturbed because all I wanted to do was eat my wing stop in peace. I call them back. “Hello this is Terrence Lewis; who is this.” Then in these next few moments not knowing it will change my life. “Hello, this is Medical City Dallas, Terrence Lewis we have a Kidney for you”. In disbelief, I thought someone was playing on my phone and they pretty much told me if I wanted this kidney, I better get up there, or they will give it to someone else. So, after I got off the phone with Medical City Dallas, it slowly hit me but I started crying like a little baby and just remembering everything I had been through and the death of my grandmother. I received my kidney transplant the next day, with so much pain on the right side of my stomach it felt like a Charlie horse just sitting in my stomach. So, while I was in the hospital, I told myself I’m going to quit my job and go all in my art and I did! I live by this quote I made up it goes. “On the other side of fear, there’s excitement.” I had to go through a little over four years of darkness, pain, struggles, and obstacles to get to this point and I want to tell you to go through the pain, the darkness the obstacles and struggles to get to the excitement part of your life and now I can tell you that I had my first solo art show in February talking about mental illness, I’ve had two speaking engagements, I’ve made more money creating art in less than half a year than I would on my old job making money in 2 years, I go to the homeless ministry once a month. I’ve met the most amazing people on this journey, and they will always be a part of my life if they are reading this, I want to tell you, thank you for believing in me, you have made my life amazing without you. My art has opened up so many doors to help other people in need, and that’s all that matters to me is to help others in need because I was once in much need, and now my health is back, I’m eating healthier, no more dialysis, no more sickness, I’m just as healthy as a 20-year-old. I’ve probably missed some key things to my story, but if you ever come in contact with me, I’ll tell you more about myself and story if you like, I like to believe I’m a friendly person. Last thing I want you to know is that if you believe in yourself and your dreams you can make it a reality… NOW I DARE YOU TO GO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Really just having challenges in believing myself and overcoming them in baby steps.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create art not just paintings, but I can take things and make them work together and make a story or give it meaning. I’m mostly known for painting, but I’m getting more into mixed media art. I’m most proud of believing in myself and not being scared anymore!!! What sets me apart is my perspective and my story to share with others.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Not take things for granted, and the best things that come into your life can be gone tomorrow, so always treat people and opportunities with much care and appreciation.
Pricing:
- $1000-$10,000 depending on what goes into the project
Contact Info:
- Email: tlewisartgallery@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/t.lewisofficial
Image Credits
Talesha Williams
