Theresa Pergal began her art studies at Otis-Parsons and holds a BFA from this school. She also spent a year in Italy with Tyler School of Art in Rome. This experience of exposure to Italian art really caused her to want to paint in the traditional style. She furthered her studies by copying old masters, a life changing experience: ”Not only did I learn technique and design but also felt I was inside the artist’s head, a very illuminating experience.”
After her family moved to Gloucester she was further led in her studies by artist David Curtis. She saw a magnificent painting of the English countryside by him at the Rockport Art Association in Rockport, MA. Shortly afterward she began her landscape studies with him. David Curtis introduced her to Robert Cormier, President of the Guild of Boston Artists. After taking a portrait class with Cormier he invited her to study at the R. H. Ives Gammell Atelier located at the Guild. She completed a very intense program of study similar to that of the 19th century French academies: cast ,figure, and portrait drawing, and still life painting. At the same time she continued her landscape studies, painting the beautiful landscape of Cape Ann. Theresa began exhibiting, winning national awards, and was also featured in an American Artist Magazine article.
In 2000 she acquired a studio in Gloucester continuing her work. In 2005 she moved her studio to the Fenway Studios in Boston where she continues to work today. She furthered her studies working with Paul Ingbretson, former President of the Guild of Boston artists, and prominent portrait painter Numael Pulido. Theresa continues her landscape work on Cape Ann and studio work at the Fenway Studios in Boston.
Her strongest painting influence was and is the subtle abstraction of the great painter Henri Fantin Latour. His wonderful flower compositions, exact draftsmanship and light spoke to her of the most important elements that should be in a painting. All the traditional elements were there but also something different and unique to him: flowers alive and living in the light of nature. Theresa is also influenced by the French Impressionists, the Boston School painters and the Italian Renaissance painters.