Terry McIllrath
A Short Biography
TERRANCE L. MCILRATH
I was born during WWII in Michigan and grew up chasing butterflies, playing football, and drawing cars. I went to school and more school and then university. I got married and went to school some more; got a job teaching art in Montana; had some children; fell in love; moved to Oregon and had more kids. I have been a full time artist for over thirty years. I live with Deborah who is my partner in life and business. Our studio name is JOULE which is the signature I use on all my paintings.
Artist Statement
SOME THOUGHTS ON MY LIFE AND WORK
I feel truly blessed at having found my "life work." I can honestly say I live to paint and I paint to live.
I work in a studio just off the kitchen in our home. My partner Deborah and our son Noah are both artists and we share the space. We also have studios in our back yard for storage and framing.
I usually have several projects underway at any given time. I have "galloping creativity." This means that every new idea generates two more. Quite often I work on thirty paintings at a time. I paint with acrylics on canvas or art board and much of my work is heavily textured with thick acrylic medium. After the texture is dry I seal it with gloss medium and apply layers of oil glazes to build up glowing colors.I have developed a number of painting techniques over the years to express my personal love of life and the perfection I see in the Universe. It is my wish to bring joy and richness to those who experience my paintings.
TERRANCE L. MCILRATH
I was born during WWII in Michigan and grew up chasing butterflies, playing football, and drawing cars. I went to school and more school and then university. I got married and went to school some more; got a job teaching art in Montana; had some children; fell in love; moved to Oregon and had more kids. I have been a full time artist for over thirty years. I live with Deborah who is my partner in life and business. Our studio name is JOULE which is the signature I use on all my paintings.
Artist Statement
SOME THOUGHTS ON MY LIFE AND WORK
I feel truly blessed at having found my "life work." I can honestly say I live to paint and I paint to live.
I work in a studio just off the kitchen in our home. My partner Deborah and our son Noah are both artists and we share the space. We also have studios in our back yard for storage and framing.
I usually have several projects underway at any given time. I have "galloping creativity." This means that every new idea generates two more. Quite often I work on thirty paintings at a time. I paint with acrylics on canvas or art board and much of my work is heavily textured with thick acrylic medium. After the texture is dry I seal it with gloss medium and apply layers of oil glazes to build up glowing colors.I have developed a number of painting techniques over the years to express my personal love of life and the perfection I see in the Universe. It is my wish to bring joy and richness to those who experience my paintings.