Terri Maxfield Lipp
Curriculum Vitae: or, An Incomplete List Of Interesting Things I’ve Done That Make Me Who I Am Today
Objective:
To appreciate this very moment, and live it as fully as I can, without getting too distracted by the trivial flutterings of existence.
Personal Profile:
Born in the midwestern United States; raised in a quaint little town surrounded by forest and corn; received grade/high school public education; wandered around the United States, following her bliss and exploring Life for approximately 15 years before attending Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL; after that, the adventure continued with a delightful decade spent in a teeny tiny town in Tuscany, followed by a six year stay in glorious Washington, DC.
Now living in Rome, Italy.
All is good.
Education:
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
BA in Art History
minor in Fine Arts
minor in Anthropology
Italy
– Studied traditional Flemish and Florentine Renaissance oil painting techniques with painter Adriano Fida.
– Continuing studies of painting and digital design with painter, illustrator and designer Bianca Camilla Gambrioli.
– Studied photography and the creative process with internationally renown photographer Robin Davis, in both Italy and France.
– Studied thematic theory and deep creative process with artist and yoga master Janine Claudia Nizza.
What We Shall Refer To As: Employment History And Other Assorted Dedicated Bits Of Time To Various Pursuits:
Donutland, Rockford, IL 1982-1984: Donuts. I made donuts. I ate donuts. I fed donuts to geese (which is a bad idea, don’t do that). Donuts.
Whistle Stop at Machesney Park Mall, Machesney Park, IL 1984-1986: Diner life. Serving burgers, nachos, deep fried treats, and soda to humans taking a break from shopping.
The Studio, Rockford, IL 1986-1988: Photography, portrait studio; family portraits, senior photos, pets, newborns, engagement photos, etc. It was actually much more fun than one might think it would have been.
Freelance Photographer, Midwest United States, 1987-1992: weddings, business events, family and personal portraiture, etc. Again, fun.
Radio Host at WBCR, Beloit, WI, 1989-1991: Beloit College Radio, where I created and hosted the “The Max Factor,” a weekly, 3 hour program comprised of the best psychedelic music and obscure recordings I could possible get my hands on. Way fun.
The Dark Room, Rockford, IL 1989-1992: Custom photo lab; where I learned the soon-to-die skills of machine and hand developing film and photographic prints (I don’t even want to think about all those chemicals going down the drain in those days…arrgghh…I just thought about it. Bad, bad, bad…digital is much better.)
ARTisan Gallery, Northampton, MA 1993: Served as exhibition curator and worked in sales as well. Short-lived but very enjoyable gig.
One Hour Photo, Boulder, CO 1993: Exactly what it sounds like, a place where you could get your photos processed and printed in one hour on a big ol’ machine. I pushed a button. It was…kinda boring, really, to be honest. Aside from some really weird customer photos, those always made the work worth coming in to do.
Bacon’s Information, Rockford, IL 1994-1996: Before Google, before the term “search engine” was commonplace, before the internet was known to basically anyone outside DARPA-ARPANET, mega-geek, or uber-nerd (terms used lovingly, of course) circles…there was Bacon’s Information. I sat in a room with about a hundred other people, and collectively we physically read through every newspaper and magazine printed in the US, every single day, looking for nouns, the searching those nouns in a ginormous database of clients who paid Bacon’s Information to have us look through all printed media for any mention of whatever it was they were looking for, be it media mention of themselves or their companies, or mention of their products, or mention of their competitors or their products.
If that exceedingly long explanation doesn’t make a lot of sense, don’t worry, it’s a foreign concept by today’s standards. Seems beyond antiquated when I think about it now. So yes, yet another skill I learned just as it was becoming obsolete. It was fascinating to surf the Digital Revolution wave…the changes came fast and were glorious! But I am getting off track yet again. Let us return to the list of things that took up my time over the years, that’s what this page is all about anyway, so yes, here we go….
Cracker Jax Vintage Clothing and Jewelry DeKalb, IL, 1998-2000: I was honored to be one of the “Cracker Jax Girls” while attending university in DeKalb, Illinois. Cracker Jax was, and still is, one of the most unique and ethereal places one can go to discover gorgeous clothing, beautiful jewelry, and any number of things that make life more lovely. I was so passionate about the place, I actually needed a second job as I spent my entire Cracker Jax paycheck at the store on more than one occasion. I will always love this place and its thoughtful and very kind owner/creator Lauren. xoxo
Northern Illinois University Library, DeKalb, Illinois, 1997-2000: I worked in many of the departments in the library as curiosity never ceased and I wanted to know everything about this place of knowledge. My final department was the Rare Books Collection and was an unforgettable experience. Everything I learned there and the wonderful smell of all those old books…just heaven.
“Professional” House and Pet Sitter, Cortona, Italy 2001-2009: Basically, there were lots of American and British people who had purchased homes in or around the little Italian town I was living in, and I was often asked to live in their houses while they were out of the country, to deter thieves from breaking into their homes, or to take care of any number of pets that stayed behind.
Tuscan Years, Misc., 2001-2009: I was able to fund my Tuscan adventure by doing basically whatever little job came my way. Some of which were as follows: Waitressing, house and/or pet sitting, teaching English, English tutor for children, document/menu/contract translation, managing a vacation/rental villa, restoration of ancient frescoes, travel columnist for a magazine in Chicago, selling trinkets to tourists in a little shop, tour guide, painter, and several other things that are just slipping my mind in this moment. It was a very interesting adventure, full of every kind of drama one could imagine. I don’t know if it was always necessarily what one would call fun…but it was never boring.
Historic Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC 2009-2012: I was the Office Manager for this beautiful place, with my primary duty being membership management of HCC’s #1 fundraiser, the K9 Corps Dogwalking Program, which brought in roughly $250,000 annually. I organized and ran the annual renewal of the membership of the over 1000 members, maintained their online accounts, managed all data entry involved during the renewal period. I conceived the original idea for and was intrinsically involved with the online development of the program through the CemeteryDogs.org website. And I got to pet dogs every single day…and that, was joyous.
I assisted in the organization and production of events, such as theatrical tours (where actors portray those buried at the cemetery), as well as lectures, book signings, and large scale fundraisers such as the Halloween Ghosts and Goblets Soirée, and the The Dead Man’s Run 5k. I also gave personalized tours of the cemetery to groups and individuals, both as an employee and as a volunteer docent.
In addition, I was honored to be a part of the funerary side of the business as well; sales, organizing receptions, assisting with funeral arrangements, memorial stone design and purchase. However, I feel the most fulfilling part of my job was to listen and be there for those in a time of need.
Finally Accepting My Role In Life And Became A Full Time Artist, (starting in) Washington, DC 2012 – present; While I knew my entire life that this is what I wanted to do and was really kinda destined to be, it took a long time before I found the confidence in myself (in no small part due to the loving and mind-blowingly kind support of my Beloved) to dedicate myself to creating art full-time. I dedicate my time to painting, photography, writing, digital collage, and really any creative output that appeals to me in any given moment. It’s weird…and wonderfully fulfilling to do.
American Visionary Art Museum’s Shining Walls/Shining Youth Mosaic Project, Baltimore, MD (Volunteer, March 2015): grouting, cleaning, and assistance with installation of large scale mosaic, Phase IV on the rooftop of the AVAM (American Visionary Art Museum) building in Baltimore, Maryland; directed by Sara Allen Harper.
Nebula Creatives, Chicago, IL 2015 – present: Resident Artist, Graphic Design, and Director of Communications, and Producer for the film “Lab 99” (a science fiction comedy-drama).
Non-Catholic Cemetery For Foreigners In Rome, Rome, Italy 2019 – present: Volunteer – duties include greeting visitors; enforcing rules (like “no, I’m sorry, you can’t bring your dog in here” and “no, I’m sorry, you can’t smoke in here” and “no, I’m sorry, you cannot pose for selfies while standing on these delicate, unstable, and really heavy-if-they-fall-on-you ancient memorials”); minding the bookstore and visitor center; walking the stunningly gorgeous grounds checking for damage, litter, or people who don’t know that we’re closing and will be locked in for the night if they don’t get a move-on. That kind of thing.
Voice Actor and Sound Effects, Rome, Italy, 2018 – present: After developing and hosting a short-lived podcast, I became fascinated with audio and audio editing. I then became part of the FreeSound.org community where I do voice work and sound effects available royalty free to anyone that wants to use them. Through this group I have also done requested work privately and am now thrilled to know that my voice is in various video games, films, YouTube videos and music. To know that my voice is ringing out somewhere at 3 o’clock in the morning at some Berlin nightclub, just makes me ridiculously happy.
Digital Work and Web design, Rome, Italy, 2019 – present: Happily creating digital design work for logos, profile pix, and the like. Also started designing and hosting websites for creative and positive people.
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Workshops and Other Studies:
The Third Eye Photographic Workshop, Southern France, May/June 2017: instruction and inspiration from fine art photographer and totally awesome human, Robin Davis.
Traditional Painting Techniques Workshop, Rome, Italy, July 2017: intensive study of traditional Florentine and Flemish painting techniques, with Italian master painter, Adriano Fida
Dal Reale al Visionario (From the Real to the Visionary) Workshop, Rome, Italy, July 2018: intensive study of taking one’s creativity to a higher level, with Italian master painter, Adriano Fida
Corsi di Pittura e Disegno (Painting and Drawing Courses), 2016 to present: continuing studies with Master Adriano Fida, as well as fine artist Bianca Camilla Gambrioli
Selected Exhibitions and Festivals:
Arts Walk, city festival, Rockford IL 1991: exhibited/sold hand printed B&W photography, hand colored with ground pigment on Ilford Texture Cotton Rag paper
Gallery 10, Rockford IL 1991: exhibited custom, hand printed/colored B&W and color prints
The House Cafe, DeKalb, IL 1999: Grand opening; group show, exhibited 3 large paintings ~ “honored” to have one stolen, they tell me that’s a great compliment. Not sure I agree, but I’ll go with it.
Tuscan Sun Festival, Cortona, Italy 2005: Curator for J Henry Fair photographic exhibit
Tuscan Sun Festival, Cortona, Italy 2006: translator for award winning Italian journalist Lilly Magi
Coffee And Poetry Festival, Cortona, Italy 2006: onstage translator for U.S. Poet Laureate Mark Strand ~ it was a complete disaster: read about that humiliation here
Facets, Solo exhibition in 2012; private location in Washington, DC: great fun
Back To Life Exhibition at Historic Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC, April 2014: Curator and participant in 5 artist exhibition, Chapel of Historic Congressional Cemetery: and yes, it was awesome
Off The Beaten Track Warehouse Private Grand Opening, Washington, DC, April 2014: group show of 22 artists
Off The Beaten Track Warehouse Public Grand Opening, Washington, DC, May 2014: group show of 22 artists
TML Arts Open Studio Exhibitions, Washington, DC, 2014-2015 monthly exhibitions of paintings, photography, soundscapes
The Alchemy Of Making, Homebody Interior Design Boutique, Washington, DC, 2014: 1 month exhibition
TML Arts Studio Closing Exhibition, Washington, DC March 2015; exhibition of my own work plus that of up-and-coming young artist Adrienne Adams, and recent MFA graduate Claudia Furlow.
Mostra Internazionale Arti Visive “Omaggio a Gino Severini – Premio Città di Cortona” 4 Edizione, Cortona (AR), Italy; October 2015: winner of 1st Annual “Premio Nocchia Galleria” and CCGS Award for exceptional use of color as expression
La MIAV, Lucignano (AR), Italy; April 2016 – Exhibition of international artists
THOMA, Rome (RM), Italy; August 2017 – Exhibited paintings at this annual multimedia festival of the arts
THOMA, Rome (RM), Italy; July 2018 – Exhibited paintings at this annual multimedia festival of the arts