Terry Sonntag

Introducing Terry Sonntag
by Ildi Szegedi

Terry is a long-time resident of rural Los Angeles County. He is an Adjunct Professor (Emeritus) and connoisseur of antiques, decorative, and fine art for decades. His exposure from his antiques business, professional development, and antique appraisal practice guided him to a greater interest and appreciation for California Impressionism.

In 2009, Terry picked up a brush and put oil to canvas and never looked back. A few months later, he sold his first painting; a rendering of the known Vasquez Rocks. He is inspired by artists Karl Dempwolf, Frank Serrano, and
S. Taylor Tredway. He is most known for his renderings of the famous Vasquez Rocks, also known as ‘Kirk’s Rock’ of the ever-popular Star Trek series.

In 2011, NBC purchased four of his works and utilized them as stage settings in the prime-time television series, ‘PARENTHOOD’. Yes, the Vasquez Rocks grace the bedroom wall of Christina and Adam!

Terry expresses his feelings in the style of California Landscape Impressionists that captured the sense of the early 20th Century. These artists sought the views of the coast, canyons, mountains, valleys, deserts, and beyond. The majority of his paintings capture views of local California areas, including the San Gabriel, Sierra Pelona, and High Sierra mountain ranges, as well as desert and seascapes.

Terry belongs to the Bear Valley Springs Cultural Art Association, the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association, and the California Art Club. He is a retired member of the Appraisers National Association and the International Society of Appraisers. He is a panel member of antique appraisal events in Pasadena (Rose Bowl) and Santa Clarita.

In the 1880s, French impressionist Degas wanted to broaden his oil painting approach. In using thinner and less paint, he achieved his goal and introduced the “essence of oil” that would be used with fast-absorbing paper instead of traditional canvas. Like Degas, Terry’s donation also uses the “essence of oil” medium. It is titled “Bear Trail” with fond memories of Bear Valley Springs. To properly protect this piece, it is matted and framed under glass.