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PrintTradition and Emotion
Period accuracy and tradition give inspiration and impact to works by New Mexico painter K. Henderson
Winds of Time, Oil on Canvas, 30x40
K. Henderson does not set out to paint portraits. Rather, her figurative works are an attempt to capture emotions. "I'm trying to get some sort of reaction from the viewer," Henderson says.
Part Cherokee, she grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and studied art at the Tulsa Art Student's Academy. Her mother's interest in genealogy and collection of Indian and historical artifacts served as an early inspiration for Henderson, who has been painting figurative works of Native Americans for decades. Often starting with an interesting artifact or piece of regalia that she finds in her immense library of history books, Henderson works to portray her figures in correct period dress and ceremonial adornment.
Five years ago Henderson decided to downsize and began making smaller still-life paintings inspired by her own childhood treasures, from glass marbles to wooden alphabet blocks to a Howdy Doody marionette. "I got bored painting only American Indians," she says, "and this keeps me excited to work on multiple pieces at a time. Now there are so many paintings that I want to do, I get excited and start another." Averaging 30 by 40 inches in size, she completes approximately 50 still-life paintings every year.
Henderson and her husband also happen to be competitive Cowboy Action Shooters, and she makes their historically accurate 1880s costumes - some of which have even been featured in her paintings. The couple recently relocated from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Weed, New Mexico, because, as she says, "We wanted to live in a place that wasn't going to grow."
Galleries:
Atlanta Art Gallery, Atlanta, 404.816.7322, www.atlantaartgallery.com.
K. Henderson Studio, Weed, New Mexico, 575.687.2634,www.khenderson.com.
The Link Gallery, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 307.778.0330, www.linkgalleryonline.com. Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, 513.871.4420, www.millergallery.com.
Mountain Trails Gallery, Park City, Utah, 435.615.8748, www.mountaintrailsgalleries.com.
Red Willow Gallery, Tubac, Arizona, 520.398.2154.
