About

Lynette K. Henderson is a visual artist in drawing, painting and mixed media, with a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1986), MFA from the University of Minnesota (1989), and a Ph.d. in Art Education from Arizona State University (2006). Henderson currently works and resides in southern California, U.S.A.​

Artist Statement

I am fascinated with the natural world, and so my artworks feature a variety of pieces in that realm. Some are depicting animals integrated into their natural habitats, seeking to provide insight into various species through detail and compelling compositions and relationships, others include various urban-related habitats. I often select animals as painting challenges, delving into the intricate details of individual animals-examining anatomy, colors, textures, and patterns. Conceptually, I find that humans tend to project themselves and their desired or imagined characteristics and emotions onto animals. Preserved in zoos, common to both rural and urban environments, the animals are considered by visitors to be either extraordinary, as pests or even despised rather than admirable, based on human perceptions and imaginings of the value of different species. I am seeking to challenge these and other romantic notions about nature within myself as well as other viewers.