Artist based in Chicago, IL, USA
Thérèse Mulgrew
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I grew up in a family of artists - most notably painters. Because of this, I avoided painting for the first 28 years of my life. But I always knew I was a creative person so I was always working in creative fields and pursuing different forms of art. In 2019, I was working in the fashion industry in NYC and decided to take a painting class at the Art Students League of New York and immediately fell in love. Shortly after, I moved back to the midwest and began working as a full time artist.
Summertime Lunch, 2025, oil on canvas, 48x72 inches
Under Together, 2025, oil on canvas, 36x48 inches
“I'm currently working on a narrative series of paintings that follow a group of friends on a summer day. Similarly to much of my recent work, the paintings explore intimacy, desire, and presence as they relate to excess and vices."
Late Night Float, 2025, oil on canvas, 48x72 inches
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
I'm currently working on a narrative series of paintings that follow a group of friends on a summer day. Similarly to much of my recent work, the paintings explore intimacy, desire, and presence as they relate to excess and vices.
Looking Up, 2025, oil on canvas, 60x72 inches
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I watch a lot of films. I read books. I go to thrift stores and look for old photography books and vintage household items.
Roll of the Dice, 2025, oil on canvas, 60x72 inches
BTS image of photoshoot for the current series
Where do ideas start for you?
Definitely being in the world. A lot of my work is autobiographical. But I also get a lot of my inspiration from films. My process starts with coming up with a narrative and compiling a bunch of images that are interesting or beautiful to me. From there I produce, direct, and style a big photoshoot to create all the reference images. I collaborate with a filmmaker friend of mine who helps me light the scenes to give them that cinematic feel. Then I spend a week or two going through the thousands of photos and usually I'll end up choosing anywhere from 20-40 to become the next series of paintings.
BTS image of photoshoot for the current series
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
The work starts with the photographs that I produce. Then I will usually project them onto canvases to see how they fit and what size makes most sense. I do a very lose sketch directly onto the canvas before I start painting.
Studio shot of painting in progress
I think my style came about naturally. It began with just teaching myself to paint and copying a lot of old masters and has kind of just transformed from that into my own style. But I always had the goal to teach myself to paint realistic figurative work well first before I ever decide to venture into other styles - which is something I'd be interested in attempting one day. So I suppose I'm still on that journey for now.
Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
I definitely have routines. I treat my job like a 9-5, giving myself a little break on the weekends. During the weekdays, I wake up super early, around 5 or 6. Sometimes I get staight to work, other times I write for an hour before I begin. I take a break around 10am to go outside and walk for an hour atleast - I have a specific route I like but sometimes I change it up. Then I usually paint until 5pm. I like to unwind/transition into the night with a glass of wine or a bubble bath to get me out of the work headspace.
Who are your biggest influences?
There are so many painters - especially women painters - whom I deeply admire. But these days I've been more influenced by the work of specific film directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Luca Guadagnino, and David Lynch.
Champagne and Papaya, 2025, oil on canvas, 30x40 inches
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Yes - too many to count. Mainly films. The Great Beauty, Melancholia, Blue Valentine, Frances Ha, Call Me By Your Name, Paris, Texas - just to name a few! This list goes on and on…
studio view
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don't become a painter unless you absolutely have to. It can make life hard so you have to be really devoted.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Be cautious of making your work too precious - especially at the beginning. Don't be afraid of making a lot of bad work before you make something that's decent.
In the studio.
Stay up to date with Thérèse Mulgrew
Website theresemulgrew.com
Instagram @theresemulgrewart