At 25 Terry left a career as a flavor chemist to pursue her fascination  with art. She studied painting and sculpture at the Art Students League in New York and the Woodstock School of Art. Expediency lead her to other careers in antique oriental rugs and architectural design which brought her much success. But, it was her search for deeper fulfillment that drew her back to her true passion, creating art. In 2002 while in Mexico, she learned hand papermaking and was captivated by its beauty, ethereal and sensual qualities. As a relatively new medium in the world of art, its undiscovered possibilities and challenges were endless. She continued her exploration and studied Japanese papermaking techniques with renowned papermakers at the Women’s Studio Workshop in Rosendale, New York. Terry has created her personal vocabulary of symbols, 3D forms and distinctive techniques. “Work that in its stillness has constant movement.”

     Since 2012, Terry has also been exploring abstract drawing. She uses unusual techniques to alter the texture and appearance of the paper. Drawing with pastel, ink, graphite, dirt and tape, and most recently drawing on plastic film, she sometimes-pierces, slashes, burns or partially destroys the paper in order to redefine its possibilities. She finds that her drawings and paper art share her preoccupation with abstraction, minimalism, surface and texture. Without a recognizable visual reference, the viewer is invited to make a personal interpretation. Abstraction allows Terry personal expression from a ‘somewhere’ or a ‘something’ referenced from imagination, emotions, dreams or impressions imprinted on her senses.

     After moving to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Terry designed and built her own gallery 20 years ago – The Tomlinson Gallery of Contemporary Handmade Paper Art where she shows her work exclusively. In addition, she has participated in numerous solo and invitational group shows in the US and Mexico for over 35 years. Her work is held in private and corporate collections in the US, Mexico, Canada and Europe.