Henrietta began at Edinburgh College of Art studying Sculpture, transferring to Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Canada and then graduating in 1994 with Bachelor of Fine Arts.
She worked for twenty-three years in the Creative Industries, in a variety of roles from scenic carpenter to ACE Project Director, attaining a MFA in Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University in 2003 along the way.
In 2014 Henrietta returned to the studio and produced a body of charcoal and graphite drawings focusing on landscape and in particular the surrounding hedgerows and trees. A number of these went on to be redesigned as decals for a set of fine bone china tableware and are available both as originals and as Limited Edition Giclee prints.
2014-present Henrietta’s work has moved into oil painting and pencil study. In 2020 after a few years teaching herself oil painting, she has produced a number of paintings that have developed from the surrounding landscape and the pencil studies she has made.
From 2020 until 2023 Henrietta has been teaching Art in the justice system and now teaches in an AP school in Exeter and developing her own portfolio of works.
1992-1996 various local group shows/ exhibitions and events
2014 Solo Show, Galerie, Newark upon Trent
2018 Joint Winner of the Thoresby Open, Notts.
Artistic Statement:
Drawing is the central force in my work. The preliminary sketches outside and the pencil studies done in the studio are key starting points for my paintings. Drawing is a tool to work out ideas, to learn and develop artistic skills, processes and techniques as well as a medium for finished pieces.
The oil paintings have drawing as a fundamental part of their development and process and in my style. After pencil studies have been made, a drawing in paint (under painting) is next which can involve a period of time of rubbing out and re-drawing before beginning to actually paint.
Another important aspect of the paintings is that I often works in Series. Setting up the studio with maybe ten or twelve small paintings and perhaps four larger ones all at once and working them almost simultaneously. This process allows me to develop spontaneity, freshness and a confident freedom. My style is one of expressionism and movement, sculptural and energetic.
I have focused on landscapes series, interspersed with still life and figurative works with the aim to be constantly challenging myself to perfect my skills, knowledge and experience in drawing and painting.
Recently I am working on more figurative paintings.
