Stephen Henriques’s paintings are renowned for their vibrant use of color. At his core, Henriques is a colorist, though his work is far from confined to this alone. His artistry encompasses the rich vocabulary of Modernist painting, incorporating layered surfaces, scratches, scrapes, drips, lines, edges, blotches, and the interplay of open and negative space. These techniques emerge organically over time, reflecting the depth of experience gained from years of painting.
For Henriques, the essence of painting is an ongoing exploration. He often likens the process to walking beside a river or following a sound, both journeys defined by their unpredictability. He approaches his work with an open heart, allowing it to evolve naturally. This openness, he believes, is both the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.
Over the years, Henriques’s paintings have undergone a natural evolution, transitioning from early abstract works to distinct series such as the Jazz Series, the California Beach paintings, and the Tectonic Plates Series. Most recently, his work has come full circle, revisiting elements inspired by the natural world.
While Henriques’s artistic voice is distinctly his own, he acknowledges the influence of external inspirations. The rhythms of nature and the improvisational spirit of jazz have been key influences on his work. He draws particular inspiration from jazz greats such as Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Thelonious Monk, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, whose dynamic and innovative sounds resonate deeply within his creative process.
