Irene Henning

I am an artist working in Melbourne.

I draw large hyper-realistic style portraits. Using graphite, charcoal and ink, I really enjoy the discipline and detail required for working in black and white and all the shades between that give nuance and complexity.

I also do abstract art, using acrylic paint and mixed media. Unlike the control and rigor required for my drawings, I have the challenge but also the joy of using colour and the freedom to express my feelings and interpretations of reality in my abstract work. My paintings often comprise complex layers of brilliant colour, and lots of different tones and textures. I sometimes base my art on something that I have observed around me and at other times, the painting just emerges from within, leaving the viewer to interpret for themselves what they are seeing.

I create art because...

It gives my life huge meaning and purpose

I am different to most artists because...

I think all artists share a similar passion to create something worthwhile. In terms of differences, I love my hyper-realistic black and white drawing which requires a lot of patience and attention to detail and nuance. At the same time, I love the looseness and the vivid colours and textures in my painting. I am an artist of extremes in a way!

When you look at my art, the thing I want you to feel is...

...that you understand on an emotional level what the art is trying to tell you.

The thing I most want to say to non-artists is...

Enjoy the beauty and complexity of what you see in front of you, and understand that someone has made themselves vulnerable by exposing their inner being through their art, just for people like you.

I believe art is an important part of our lives because...

It can give you other ways of seeing the world. It helps us explore ourselves and our feelings, it adds richness and meaning to life. It can be kind, and ask only that people share a small part of their lives with something bigger and better than the chaos around us