K. Henderson presents her nostalgia-inspired portfolio. Enjoy these delightful works and see more by visiting her website.
I was born and raised in Oklahoma and now call rural New Mexico home. I am known for my detailed oil paintings of contemporary realism still lifes in oil as well as Western figures. I have been a full time artist for about 30 years. My artwork can be found in galleries, museums, shows and private collections from coast to coast.
I have an obsession with vintage toys and have a large collection of them. My collection includes card and board games, wind-up toys, wooden pull toys and a rather nice collection of marionettes. I can’t pass by a thrift store without going in. Many of my treasures come from these stores.
If I have a choice when buying a toy or game, I’ll go for the one with ‘character’ rather than the pristine one. I like the ones that have been well played with and well loved.
I begin my paintings by setting up objects, adding, taking away, changing lighting until the objects seem to fit together. I then take several photographs of the still life capturing the moment. I create my paintings using the photos as well as the actual objects.
I draw my still life on tracing paper the same size as the canvas I will use. When I’m happy with the drawing, I transfer all the major lines onto my canvas or linen. I then begin with a color underpainting using washes of oil paint diluted with liquin. After this layer of paint is dry, I continue with additional layers of paint adding detail and depth.
I like to tell a story with my contemporary still lifes. I want the viewer to go back to a time when the purpose of toys was to have fun! Toys didn’t have to be educational or politically correct.
Remember when we came home from school, ate our twinkies and coke while watching an episode of Batman? We then went outside and chased our friends around the neighborhood playing Cowboys and Indians until our mom called us in for dinner.
Ah, Life was good!
I am a member of National Oil and Acrylic Painter Society (NOAPS) Signature member, International Guild of Realism.
K. Henderson invites you to follow her blog.
These are wonderful. The Buck Rogers pencil set especially speaks to me. Congratulations on the feature!
Thanks Jessica. I have a collection of old pencil boxes and I love to include them in my paintings.
Your Art is Amazing! So much like seeing a Photograph! NICE JOB!
Thanks Joe.
Congratulations on your many successes–I really like where you are coming from! Ever do baseball cards?
Thanks James. I’ve never painted baseball cards but it’s a great idea!
these are soo wonderful…skillfully created, great compositions and all the memories they produce!! brilliant!!
Thanks Kathryn. I have a great fondness for old toys.