Art by Ulrika Torquato

Art That Flows From Life And Heart

From my early childhood, drawing and painting were ways for me to express myself with no other ambition than simply to have fun. Hours would pass without me even realizing it, completely immersed in the joy of capturing what I saw with pencil on paper. I often made portraits so lifelike that friends and family began asking me to create ones of them, which was such an honor!

As I grew older, my artistic journey evolved. I began experimenting with oil paints, shifting from realism to more abstract expression. Rather than portraying the outside world, I started exploring and expressing my inner world, bringing a new depth to my creativity.

Below, you can see a selection of what I’ve created over the years. If you’d like to explore further, please contact me here.

Under Water

Sometimes life gets really messy and it feels so difficult to breath. There is no clarity, it feels dark, without much hope, like being in the bottom of a muddy lake. Somewhere, though, glimpses of light are able to reach me, giving me hope that the surface is not far away. I just need to let go and float up to see the blue sky again.

Oil on canvas, 40x70cm
Ulrika Torquato 2017

A Tribute to Lucian Freud

The first time I was in Paris, I visited the Modern Art Museum Pompidou. To my amazement, there was a big exhibition of the great artist Lucian Freud. I was so astonished by his strong and explicit way of painting that when I went home, I did a freehand version of two of his works but added my own ladybugs!

Oil on canvas, 40x50cm
Ulrika Torquato 2010

Libertas

Somehow inspired in the Brazilian state's Minas Gerais flag where it's written in Latin "Libertas quae sera tamen", meaning approximately "freedom even if it's late". I like the golden colors and texture, they reminds me of the Brazilian soil. But, I ask myself, how do we know if we are free?

Oil on canvas, 50x50cm
Ulrika Torquato 2012

In Hell

On our way to freedom, there are days when the feeling of oppression, tugging and control seems to come from outside of ourselves. No way to escape from these pulling hands. But if it's all happening on the inside? I can't know for sure, but if I think like that, I'm not a victim anymore and can do something about it. Better days are coming!

Oil on canvas, 30x40cm
Ulrika Torquato 2010

The Hidden Boar

Some cultures associate the wild boar with the incarnation of spiritual power. I believe we all have access to this power, even if it's hidden in a dark and mysterious forest inside ourselves.

Oil on canvas, 60x70cm
Ulrika Torquato 2012

The Lonely Lake

A lake in autumn somewhere in Sweden. So many memories of winter, solitude and longing. And peace.

Oil on canvas, 40x70cm
Ulrika Torquato 2022

Happy Days

There are relaxing days, when the sun is shining and it's so satisfying to watercolor landscapes! Just me, a paintbrush and a piece of paper. Delightful feelings!

Watercolor and ink on paper, 16x23cm
Ulrika Torquato 2002-2004

At The Market

A simple Brazilian market bag, inspiring colors and warm days.

Oil on canvas, 30x40cm
Ulrika Torquato 2010

The Great Escape

Flying from somewhere to nowhere. The world is getting smaller and smaller.

Oil on canvas, 70x90 cm
Ulrika Torquato 2011

Berlin

I found a place that is ugly and beautiful, warm and cold, joyful and melancholic, simple and complex, wealthy and impoverished, elegant and crude, cosmopolitan and provincial — all at the same time.

Watercolor and charcoal on paper 30x40cm
Ulrika Torquato 1999-2000

My First Mona

One of my first attempts to make a portrait is this here, when I was 12. I have made different versions of Monalisa, but this one survived all my moving across the world.

Pencil on paper, 21x30cm
Ulrika Torquato 1982

If you’d like to explore further or wish to order a painting or drawing, please contact me here.