Written by: Stacey Louiso

Photos provided by: K. VanHenley

Katherine VanHenley is multi-talented. She recently became a contributing writer at attribute Magazine but what she keeps a bit hidden from the world is that she is an accomplished painter. VanHenley was gracious enough to share this hidden talent and her most recent series of paintings, as well as earlier works, with us. We hope you take notice of this blossoming artist.

("Shy Red", by K. vanHenley) 

  (From left to right: "Shy Purple", "Shy Green" and "Shy Blue," by: K. vanHenley)

Katherine VanHenley resides in the artful city of Los Angeles. Like many artists she has another career and pursues her art on the side. Though not a complete novice nor an art school graduate, she confides that she began painting at a very young age. “My mother was supportive enough of my creativity that she allowed me to paint murals in my childhood bedroom.”

When asked what inspired her to pick up a brush, VanHenley stated, “As a child I was hypersensitive to color and people became certain colors, as did numbers and some words. I had so many pictures and colors in my head that had to find some way out. I think it was and still is imperative for me to communicate my ideas with people. Drawing and painting are a natural way for me to do that.”

The subjects of her current series of paintings are female silhouettes, entitled by the colors and mood emanated. VanHenley gives some insight as to the subject. “When anyone sees the paintings they ask: "Is that you?"  No, it's not me.  One day I was working very diligently on a much more complex painting when I looked out the window and saw a reflection of a sketch I'd made and the reflection looked like a woman with an afro, her head bent down and her arm across her belly.  She was a shy, naked woman. Right then I grabbed a spare board and painted “Shy Purple” very quickly. I am rather shy and introverted, but I like that side of myself. I think shy can be sexy. I believe shy girls have more fun. I didn't want this series to be an exploitation of the afro or the perceived shape of a black woman's body.  A naked, black woman does not have to be an object of lust.” 

VanHenley's use of color influences a piece from inception to completion; she went on to describe her process further. “It took me longer than I'd like to admit to settle on the final color scheme for “Shy Green.”  Obviously the background of the pieces stay pretty much the same, but for the most part I think the paintings choose their own colors.  For instance, “Shy Green” didn't want to have a green body and green hair, so she made me wrestle over and over with the perfect pairing color until she had what she wanted and finally let me paint her.”

VanHenley has exhibited her work before but at this moment she doesn’t have any future exhibitions planned. She went on to mention that she has sold a few pieces, but what she creates is for the world and it's very difficult to get her head around associating her art with money. She confesses, “I think that's what agents or managers are for. Lacking a manager, most of my pieces are hanging across the country in the homes of my dear friends and family."

From top (midpage) to bottom right: 1) Refugio's Hair, 2) Himba Girl 3) Curious, 4) Untitled (Woman), all earlier works by Katherine vanHenley. 

If you are interested in Ms. vanHenley’s work, please contact her via email and mention you saw her work in attribute: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it