RED STAR COMRADE Painting

Terence is a New York based artist, known for his vivid contemporary portrait paintings. People are describing his work as "Tintin meets Commando Comics.....with a big punch of pop". His portraits range from those of unknown to famous people or historically significant individuals that have largely been forgotten. Some have incredible back stories, whilst others do not. "It is interesting to me, that with each piece I start, there is always a tenuous link or the slightest of exposure to an image, that has peaked my interest so much that I start researching. This interest develops rapidly with my research. Through observations and sketching, the concept develops. One might say that there is a symbiotic relationship between my initial exposure, the creative process, right through to the finished product. It is not always a picture or image that sparks my interest, sometimes it might just be the color of a fabric or a piece of clothing that starts me off." "I might see something, in an ordinary every day setting. It could seem fairly innocuous or mundane at the time, but I will note it in my journal anyway. I might not revisit it for a few weeks, months or sometimes a year. Then I will slowly work the source material and notes I have made, into my concepts and sketches. You see, it's the little things when brought together, that create the special finished pieces. I'm constantly researching even when I'm not." Whilst his portraits, because of their crisp and perfect appearance, might look like stencil or lithograph prints, they are in fact large paintings on canvas, using oil and acrylic paints. When one looks closer they see the texture of the oils, imperfections and thousands of dots. Each dot is painstakingly hand drawn and then filled in. His art can consist of thousands of these hand drawn and hand painted dots. Terence cites Eric Kennington and George Remi (Herge) as influences for his work, with elements of the greats - Warhol and Liechtenstein. Terence was born and educated in England, where he attended St George's School, Hampshire. He studied fine art at Peter Symonds College, Winchester. In 2013 Terence was offered the opportunity to relocate to Manhattan, New York City. It was here that he was able fully pursue his vocation. For the most part he is entirely self taught. Throughout the years he has attended The National Academy School of Fine arts and Art Students League of New York.