Conversations with Terrence Hubbard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrence Hubbard.

Hi Terrence, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello,
Born and raised in Cleveland, my story goes back as far as the pre-school days. I’ve always been fascinated with learning how things work and creating things with my own hands. Drawing childhood favorites such as video games and cartoons kept my creative juices flowing until I started art classes in high school (Bedford). Exceeding in every art project since freshman year, I really didn’t see a future in art but knew I loved it.

I studied visual communication (graphic design) at Kent State University. The university experience was fun and all but I didn’t really have motivation to finish and hope to graduate someday with my bachelor’s degree. After this departure in 2010, I moved back home and worked odd jobs for a couple years or so. To past time I would still draw or be work on random designs in photoshop. Out of boredom, I started to make weekend trips to New York City that summer. Here, I decided I wanted to be a full-time artist.
The idea of making it happen as an artist has been on my mind for months. One day, I randomly “moved” to New York City with little to nothing and knowing anyone. Didn’t even know how I was going to eat.

With my backpack and an armful of art, I made my way around Manhattan for a while until getting involved with some protests going on at the time. I’m always ready for a revolution. During these gatherings I would meet like minded people that band together to change the system. Or at least try. This lifestyle was inspiration that keep me producing art or something for days if not non stop. Rather it be in a sketchbook or piece of trash I’d found somewhere. This would go on for a couple years allowing me to travel everywhere across the United States. Around 2014 I moved back to Cleveland because there is no place like home.

Enthused in being home, I was eager to apply everything I’ve learned from my travels to and start to create a more stable life for myself. Odd jobs didn’t last long and by this time I was just figuring it out. Those years I begun to freelance my skills and was starting to became an entrepreneur. I’ve always been good with by hands, so I would make money by helping people I knew that owned theirs own business. Watching and learning from these folks taught me not only the inner workings of a business but the work ethic it takes to keep it running. I was still creating art to past time and began having art shows around town. In 2020, during quarantine, I start selling more digital art than ever. Soon after I created my business (ArtByHub Llc.) to house my creative ventures. This is also the time I start creating public art such as murals, etc. In collaboration with local art galleries and the City of Cleveland I have a few public art pieces around town.

Today, I make a living by assembling furniture and mounting tv’s for people around town. I’m also in the process of creating another public art piece. Excited for this one because it’s going to be my first sculpture.

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?
Struggles that have made the road not so smooth is not knowing when’s the next opportunity is going to be or being rejected from art calls. As an independent artist, it can be a challenge learning and navigating the business side. That’s probably one of the biggest.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I draw, paint and make graphic design. Specializing in painting. I am certainly most proud of a basketball court mural I created in 2021 at Warsaw Park. Cleveland, OH. Actually Slavic Village. I like to think what sets me apart from others is that I’m straight forward.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I know how to do tattoos.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ArtByHub.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thub88
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6NhFOOOcysHUf9pKXs41CO?si=Q7_SfLZAQ2ORprk1XJqgmQ