Terence Ulrich: Good Boy

Baby Bump

2008-05-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo from the Artwalk a couple of weeks ago. My wife, Ionia, is sporting the baby bump (nearly 6 months) and my Bukowski Bunny is sporting the Beer Belly Bump.

An elephant paints a self portrait!

2008-04-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it:

Spring Artwalk

2008-04-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

It will soon be here, the Spring Artwalk in Ventura. I'll be showing some new pieces at Stoneworks Studios. There will be lots of changes accompanying this Artwalk, live bands, "after parties", kids activities and more tours then you can shake a stick at!

April 26th and 27th in downtown Ventura, see you there.

The Mary Mitchell House

2008-04-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

I did another cover for the VC Reporter. The Art Director, Enrique Candiotti, asked me to do something different. Thanks E!

The illustration is of a historically important landmark in Ventura. It's a house called the Mary Mitchell House.

According to the San Buenaventura Conservency Website:

This house is known as the Mary Mitchell House and is part of the Mitchell Block Historic District established in 1977. The two-story brick masonry structure is a combination of Queen Anne and Eastlake Victorian with the decorative wood detail under the front gable and the spindle and spool decoration on the porch and balcony. Of unusual interest and whimsy is the square tower with the crenalated parapet, which is reminiscent of medieval Gothic towers. Built in 1890 by the Mitchell Brothers, who were bricklayers, this residence was given to Mary Mitchell, daughter of Ed. L. Mitchell. The houses at 670 and 692 are the only remaining examples of brick houses constructed prior to 1900 in the city of Ventura.

My Illustration:

My reference photo from the day before:

New Cover: 'tis the season for stealin'

2008-03-29T08:04:00.001-07:00

I recently completed a new cover for the VC Reporter this week and it really turned out great thanks to Christy Sisneros, the Production Manager at the paper. Concept sketch and finished cover below.

A Sandwich with a Mug of Apple Cider

2008-03-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

An illustration for Sunset iCafe in Ventura.

War Begets No Good Offspring

2008-02-24T22:36:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Illustrations

2008-02-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

Some Valentine's Day Illustrations I did recently for a restaurant guide.

There were little categories for the different types of restaurants. Best place to impress your date, best place to don your leather and park your hog. And, best place to mangia with your mate, lady and the tramp style.

Photos I took last week

2008-01-30T20:34:00.000-08:00

My wife and I went to Oceanside, California last week. We took a stroll on the beach, and shot some pics of surfers from the pier.

Dali on TV

2008-01-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

I found this little gem of Salvador Dali appearing on the old game show "Whats My Line" on YouTube the other night. After watching this I had to ask...What modern painter could appear on a game show in today's world and be instantly recognizable? Where people a little more culturally aware in the 1950's?

It's Been a While!

2007-12-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

So many things have happened this year which is my excuse for not blogging for the last few months. There have been some disappointments and some milestones, which make it a Good Year! So many people to thank and so many new ideas running through my head, I can't wait for 2008!

My beautiful wife and I on our wedding day.

I hope everyone reading this has a safe and fun new year celebration!

By this time next year I will be a father!

Dali's Secret Life

2007-09-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

“The Secret Life of Salvador Dali,” published in 1942 against the backdrop of spectacular world events including World War II, the Sino-Japanese War, the Wannsee conference in Berlin which opened the doors to the Holocaust - to name but a few, Dali wrote a manifesto of sorts aptly entitled “My Battle” which wasn’t fought with the Allies against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan but was fought against conformity in any spiritual, philosophical or aesthetic form. It was one man’s fight against the Nine Muses or any Muse for that matter that threatened to level the battle field to a match nul.

"Self-Examination"

Ventura: State of the Arts-Sept./Oct. 2007

2007-09-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Artist Profile - Terence Ulrich

At a recent gallery opening, a woman stopped in front of one of Terence Ulrich's painting. After a brief pause, she commented "not very uplifting, huh?" Overhearing this, Ulrich took the opportunity to share one of his favorite quotes from filmmaker John Walters: "Good art can make people insane". A part of LA's "low brow" art scene, his work has a weathered, edgy feel influenced by urban folk art, graffiti and vintage circus art. It's not uncommon for figures in his paintings to have a deformity or two. "I usually have people doing things, telling a narrative, but often with something off kilter, slightly perverse, and always a little humorous."

His technique involves multiple layers of color and different kinds of paper (from newspaper to Chinese wrapping paper), often painted separately, then glued downed before laying down an image on top. "I want it to look like they're aged under newspapers for sixty years," he says "I'm trying to make something old kind of new again." Recently his work has evolved, "it's a bit more subtle and surreal now."

Originally from Indiana, Terence grew up drawing, "It's just something I've always done, I was the kid who drew comic book covers for everyone in class." He went on to attend the Art Institute of Chicago, around the time of the Dred Scott flag controversy, "the environment there was very confrontational and in your face". Upon returning to California, he met his wife while doing a mural project and started showing in local galleries like La Luz de Jesus.

Surfing was his introduction to Ventura and he moved here four years ago. "The LA art scene is really competitive, every man for himself - there's a real sense of community here in Ventura and a willingness to help each other out." Besides selling in Portland, Seattle and San Francisco, he has shown at Nathan Larramendy's Ojai gallery and was selected to participate in the Cultural Affairs Division's Streetscape Mural Project. He noted that long-time local artists like Michelle Chapin have very enthusiastic and helpful to him, "Ventura audiences have been very receptive to my work and I really appreciate that."

Problems on Pollutron!

2007-09-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last week my wife and I were asked to participate in a movie. No, not that kind of movie, actually it's more like a public service/informational video about recycling and environmental issues.

Our neighbor is the Environmental Director for the City of Ventura and makes these videos for schools and broadcast on public access channels. His latest film is called "Problems on Pollutron". It's the story of an earthlike planet that used up it's natural resources without a recycling program in place. My wife and I were asked to be citizens of the planet, Pollutron. With no natural resources left, Pollutron has become a planet devastated by pollution. The great Pollutronian hero; Robertron, is asked by the citizens of Pollutron to set out in a space craft to find help for Pollutron.

Sketchbook

2007-09-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of quick pencil drawings I've recently completed.

Funhouse Pics from the Ventura Artwalk

2007-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Gary and I found a Funhouse Mirror at the Artwalk

Pictures from the Ventura Artwalk (summer)

2007-08-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

A couple of pictures from the Summer version of the Ventura Artwalk.

My dear friends, Gary and Pierre Silva made their debut in Ventura at the Artwalk. My wife and I knew them when we lived in Los Angeles but we lost touch with after we moved here. Then about a year ago they contacted us and told us they had moved to Ventura too.

I had a great spot all to myself. There was tons of great feedback
and a lot of nice, interesting people.

Queen Itch 2007

2007-08-20T08:09:00.001-07:00

Feliz Cumpleanos!

2007-08-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Or Happy Birthday to you english speakers!

This is another moldy oldy I found slides for. I believe this was done around the year 1999 and is in the collection of my good friend Raymond.

9"x 12" mixed media on paper

Ventura ArtWalk (summer edition)

2007-08-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

What are you doing on August 18th, 2007?

The City of Ventura is having the summer edition of the ArtWalk on that day. There will be 150 Artists from Southern California showing their work in 60 downtown locations.

I'll be showing at Michelle Chapin's Stoneworks Studios which is located at 300 N. Ventura Avenue. The cross street is E. Park Row.

If you've never been to Stoneworks Studios you have to come see this place to believe it! There's an open air studio, a garden with vendors (my good friends Gary and Pierre Silva will be showing their photos), food and live entertainment. You could easily spend hours exploring this one location.

August 18th from 1 to 9 p.m. Free!

I hope to see you there!

http://www.venturaartwalk.org

New Illustration

2007-08-07T07:19:00.001-07:00

A new illustration for a sushi place in Southern California called Hanami's.

Less than 2 weeks away...

2007-08-06T08:45:00.001-07:00

The Ventura Artwalk is less than 2 weeks away. August 18th to be exact. I'll be showing at Michelle Chapin's Stoneworks Studio on E. Park Row and Ventura Avenue. I displayed some work there during the Spring art walk and I met some really fun, cool people. This one is going to be bigger and better with a lot of new work and prints of older pieces too.

for more information; click the link:

Ventura Art Walk

"Wally's Gone Fishing"

2007-07-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

I'll have a better pic when I get this piece shot professionally. Right now this is all I have for you to see.

"Wally's Gone Fishing" 2007

A new member of the family!

2007-07-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is Doodles and he is the newest member of the pack! He's a smart puppy and since we have 2 olders dogs he is learning doggy etiquette almost right away.

Being a puppy is a tiring job!

"Cuteness Supreme"

Something just isn't right!

2007-07-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm working on the background for the Wall-eyed Walleye piece and I hate the background. It's just not doing "it" for me. It was too busy with too much going on which I felt was distracting from Walleye. So I basically spent the last week painting over what my previous work.

Ugh!

I think it looks better now.

Oh well, here's a bit of Walleye's cane pole and a dragonfly buzzing around to keep him company.