Terry French

Terry French

My primary artistic subject is the black-eyed pea. What began as a simple, familiar food has become a central symbol in my work—one that holds layers of cultural memory, survival, ancestry, and continuity. The black-eyed pea appears in my practice as both image and idea, serving as a quiet but powerful anchor to Black history, Southern traditions, and generational resilience.

I first began exploring this subject through writing, developing a book series that reflects on the black-eyed pea as a vessel of story—passed down through meals, rituals, and shared knowledge. That exploration expanded naturally into painting, where I work primarily in oil on canvas. In these paintings, the black-eyed pea is isolated against dark, expansive fields, emphasizing its form, texture, and presence. Removed from narrative context, the object becomes monumental—inviting reflection on what is often overlooked or taken for granted.

Currently, my painted body of work consists of six oil-on-canvas pieces, with additional works in progress. Each painting is part of an ongoing series that examines repetition and variation, allowing subtle shifts in tone, light, and surface to convey emotion and meaning. The simplicity of the form contrasts with the depth of what it represents: sustenance, endurance, memory, and legacy.

In parallel with my traditional studio practice, I have developed a digital-physical extension of this work through an NFC-enabled art object called the Stream Disc. The Stream D ... view more »

My primary artistic subject is the black-eyed pea. What began as a simple, familiar food has become a central symbol in my work—one that holds layers of cultural memory, survival, ancestry, and continuity. The black-eyed pea appears in my practice as both image and idea, serving as a quiet but powerful anchor to Black history, Southern traditions, and generational resilience.

I first began exploring this subject through writing, developing a book series that reflects on the black-eyed pea as a vessel of story—passed down through meals, rituals, and shared knowledge. That exploration expanded naturally into painting, where I work primarily in oil on canvas. In these paintings, the black-eyed pea is isolated against dark, expansive fields, emphasizing its form, texture, and presence. Removed from narrative context, the object becomes monumental—inviting reflection on what is often overlooked or taken for granted.

Currently, my painted body of work consists of six oil-on-canvas pieces, with additional works in progress. Each painting is part of an ongoing series that examines repetition and variation, allowing subtle shifts in tone, light, and surface to convey emotion and meaning. The simplicity of the form contrasts with the depth of what it represents: sustenance, endurance, memory, and legacy.

In parallel with my traditional studio practice, I have developed a digital-physical extension of this work through an NFC-enabled art object called the Stream Disc. The Stream Disc is a manufactured, tap-enabled art canvas that allows viewers to access a digital experience—such as text, audio, or visual media—by tapping the artwork with their phone. This technology enables each physical artwork to carry an expandable narrative, blending contemporary tools with traditional fine art practices. The Stream Disc system is fully designed and manufactured on demand, allowing scalability while preserving artistic intent.

My work lives at the intersection of fine art, storytelling, and emerging technology. Rooted in San Antonio’s cultural landscape, my practice reflects both historical continuity and forward-looking experimentation. By combining oil painting, literature, and digital interaction, I aim to create accessible, multi-layered experiences that honor heritage while inviting new forms of engagement. The black-eyed pea remains my core subject—not as a static symbol, but as a living one, capable of carrying meaning across generations, mediums, and communities.

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Artist Statement of Work

Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):

Art is my first language. It is the lens through which I interpret the whispers of inspiration and the voice with which I speak to the world. My mission transcends the mere creation of visuals; it is about bridging worlds, specifically the vibrant tech district and the pulsing heart of the art district of San Antonio, Texas. Generative art, the cornerstone of my practice, is like planting a seed in the digital soil and watching a unique and unexpected flower bloom. Imagine giving a set of crayons to a computer program and telling it to draw a picture following some simple rules. That's generative art—it's not about copying what's already there, but about creating something completely new and one-of-a-kind. This art form harnesses the precision of technology and the beauty of artistic principles to craft pieces that are as unexpected as they are beautiful. Each piece is a symphony of randomness, guided by the structured hand of code, embodying the essence of both technological innovation and artistic expression. As a proud member of the San Antonio community, I stand at the crossroads, ready to fuse the analytical brilliance of our tech aficionados with the creative spirit of our artists. We are on the cusp of a new era where art is not just generated but regenerated, continually evolving and growing. Our city thrives when we support the need for robust computer systems and resources that serve as a canvas for both programmers and painters alike. By embracing generative art, San Antonio is not just making a statement; we are setting the stage for a collaborative future where every stroke of code and brush brings us closer, celebrating our unity and our diversity. Together, we step into a future where art is no longer confined to galleries or circuits but is a shared language that speaks of possibility, community, and the bright horizon of San Antonio's tomorrow.