2006 Best Visual Artist
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30.36% Terry Ratliff*
Others with Votes (more than one):
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Terry Ratliff always wins the Whammy award for Best Visual Artist. It's a given. And every year he's modest about it. He still manages to appreciate each victory, though. "I don't really get super excited about winning. I appreciate it, and I appreciate what whatzup does for local artists and musicians, but there are certain local artists I'm in awe of. Art preference is not art judgment. But I've won so many times now, I don't want to lose," said Ratliff. Easily the best-known painter in a city full of excellent painters, Ratliff continues to find success as Brand Ratliff. He recently moved his studio to a house at 1029 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Fort Wayne. He's fixing it up and eventually hopes to have open gallery hours several days a week. For now, you need an appointment. And he's still working on big commissions, such as one that will take him to Miami later this year to do 10 large oil paintings for a corporate customer. When he gets there, he'll soak up the local atmosphere and turn that into 10 to 12 hours of daily inspiration till he's done. Despite his reputation and success, Ratliff occasionally suffers the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that haunt painters. The local franchise of a profitable global business recently invited him to paint a large mural at its new downtown location. For free. "It will be good exposure for you," they told Ratliff. "I've got exposure," Ratliff said. "But if it was for a fund-raiser, I'd do it for sure." Sounds like somebody needs to attend the next Whammy Awards Show to find out just how much exposure Ratliff already has. (Alex Vagelatos) |
* On the ballot
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