Henri's Watercolors

Henri’s Artist Statement

I paint because can not do otherwise. I have always had a passion for art and artists.  I am one of those people who stare too long at the galleries and street exhibits, holding up the rest of the crowd.  Two sisters and a nephew are life long artists and I constantly envied them for their natural talent. It seemed inevitable that one day I would try to create art of my own.

As soon as I enrolled in my first class, I was obsessed.  I was sure my obsession would fade when the novelty wore off, but years later I am as fanatical as ever. All day, every day, the creation of art is on my mind. 

I was a fiction writer before doing art, I still write. But now my powers of observation, my ability to examine people and look for the story within, is revealed in watercolor paintings as well as words.

I was a professor before doing art, I still teach. But now I am more visual in conveying ideas and concepts, a benefit from creating art.

I paint my watercolors in a predominately realistic style with moderate abstractions.  But I do enjoy putting unexpected colors in uncommon places in my work. I use the Japanese Sumi-e paints because of the fluidity and brilliant colors they provide.  Most of my subjects are people, and more notably faces.  Admittedly, I am enamored of the human expression, the eyes, the lips, the noses, the shape of the cheek and jaw line all offer endless variations for me. I like them old or young, wrinkled or smooth, gnarled or model perfect.  I look for expressions that indicate thought or emotion, images that  have a back story to the moment captured on paper. 

 I have to be emotionally invested in the subject in order to paint it. The shape, the setting, the colors have to grab me.  Once they do, there is no rest until the painting is done.     

 I now paint because it is impossible not to paint. When I see a compelling face or mood I feel an excitement that drives me toward the finished product. When an idea comes together successfully, my joy is uncontrollable. I hope you feel likewise.

~~Jane Henri

available for commissions

(650) 342-6795

henri_watercolor@yahoo.com