Dick Termes – Artist Profile

Meet Dick Termes

Born in: San Diego, California
Based in: Black Hills, South Dakota
Profession: Artist
Education: Studied Art and Design
Preferred Canvas: Spheres
MOVA Globe Designs: Black Hills Termesphere MOVA Globes
Website: termespheres.com
Favourite Works: Pantheon and Looking for the Order

“I want people to see the world in a whole new way – 360 degrees in all directions.” – DICK TERMES

A Revolutionary Approach to Visual Art

Dick Termes is no ordinary painter—his spherical canvases, known as Termespheres, challenge traditional perspectives and invite viewers to see the world as a full 360-degree environment. These meticulously crafted works are painted on the outside of a globe, offering an optical illusion that gives the appearance of standing inside a space and seeing all around you—from floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

His signature six-point perspective technique enables him to capture up, down, and all around, revealing the entire visual sphere from a single, fixed point in space. It’s a style that’s as technical as it is mesmerising—and it’s changed how we view three-dimensional art.

Creative Process and Philosophy

Dick’s artistic journey began in primary school, when a teacher sparked his fascination with drawing. Over time, his passion grew into a career dedicated to pushing artistic boundaries. He keeps a file of visual ideas, allowing him to revisit and combine concepts—making creative blocks virtually nonexistent in his process.

His work often explores themes of order, geometry, and perspective.

“I like to organise the world through my paintings—even if the world itself isn’t always that organised.”

His approach is slow, deliberate, and thoughtful—allowing concepts to evolve naturally.

Termespheres and the 6-Point Perspective

In contrast to the classic two-point perspective from the Renaissance, which captures only a 90-degree view, Dick’s six-point system covers a full 360 degrees in every direction. This system allows him to create immersive scenes that encapsulate entire spaces—indoors, outdoors, and architectural interiors—on a single spherical surface.

“If you were inside a Termesphere, the world around you would feel perfectly normal. But from the outside, it’s a completely different experience.”

Each Termesphere invites the viewer to walk around, observe from multiple angles, and appreciate how the image reads correctly from every perspective. It’s as if the entire visual universe is encapsulated on a rotating globe.

Personality and Preferences

Dick’s personality shines through his work—measured, precise, but always curious. He enjoys painting detailed scenes like the interiors of famous architectural buildings, finding them both challenging and exciting.

Inspiration?

• Food & Drink: Steak and beer

• Music: “South Dakota” by his son, Lang

His art doesn’t shy away from evolution, either.

“If a good idea is let down by poor technique, I’ll go back and improve it.”

Art and Influence

If given the chance to spend a day with any artist, M.C. Escher would be his choice, citing their shared appreciation for mathematical patterns and optical illusions. However, Dick insists he’s quite content working in the present day, where his spherical art can truly be celebrated.

His definition of creativity?

“To explore the new. To learn to play. To approach subject matter in a totally different way. If your art all looks the same, you’re doing it wrong.”