Paula Henchell - Artist's Statement

Even at the young age of three I spent a lot of my time drawing and really loved it.  I always knew that I wanted to have a career in art.  When I finished school I applied and got accepted at art college in Croydon, England.  Somehow when I had finished my training the lure of travelling seemed to take over and before I knew it the last thing I ever did was paint.  Some twenty five years later I started to take art classes again and immediately the world of art opened up to me with all the excitement of painting and drawing and the satisfaction of accomplishment and I really had to wonder why I had left it for so long.  The incredible thing was that during those years when I no longer painted I must have still been mentally learning because when I finally did pick up a paint brush I had improved a thousand fold.

In the last three years I have gone from student to teacher and now paint in watercolour, oil and acrylic.  All the artistic friends and teachers that I have met along the way have really enriched my life and I think made me a better and a happier person.  I love to paint it creates an inner satisfaction and a certain calm that nothing else seems to give me. I prefer to paint in the solitude of my studio listening to classical music.  I paint mainly landscapes and especially enjoy painting scenes from my native country of England. I also really enjoy painting buildings and flowers.

I feel so fortunate to have art back in my life again and to have met the people that I have and all the wonderful students both young and old that I teach but I don’t want to stop here – there is a huge world of wonder and excitement waiting for me out there and I can’t wait to get started on that road.  Thank you to my family and friends and everyone who has helped me on this incredible journey.