HENRY ANDERSSON

A Swedish artist living and creating in Ireland  

 

 

Please share a little about you and how did your journey with creating began?

 

 

I am 87 years old, born and raised in Sweden, now living in Ireland since 2007. I started drawing in primary school, mostly landscapes and animals. That sparked my interest and I gradually taught myself how to use oil and acrylics.  

 

 

 

 

 

Are there any artists, people, or experiences that have had a big influence on your art?

I very much admire the Swedish painters Bruno Liljefors who paints animals and Lars Lerin who mostly paint landscapes. They have both influenced me a lot. 

 

 

 

Painting by Henry Andersson

 

What is intuition for you, in life or when you create? Do you follow your intuition?

 

Intuition when creating for me is when I feel inspired. In those moments there is not much thinking going on, just the need to sit down and paint. Here, time and space sort of disappears and the process of painting takes on a life of its own.  

 

Have different places or environments changed the way you see or create art? 

 

Absolutely. Growing up in Sweden, I was very impacted by the Scandinavian nature and wildlife. On the west coast where I lived, the landscape was quite rugged in places, and there were a lot of forests with pine trees, and animals such as lynx, moose, and wolves. The winters were long with a lot of snow, which also impacted the aesthetics of the environment. Now that I live in Ireland, the surroundings are very different. Here, everything is very green and lush all year round, and it took me a couple of years before I could connect to the landscape and wildlife around me, and seek inspiration from that.

 

 

Painting by Henry Andersson

 

 

When you look back, how do you feel your art has grown or changed over the years? 

 

I think that as you age, art styles might change quite organically. My eyesight is not so good anymore, so my art is less detailed and slightly more abstract in parts these days. I think as you grow older, your internal life also calms down a bit, which is probably reflected on what takes shape on the canvas too.

 

Painting by Henry Andersson

 

Is there a certain art style you feel especially connected to? What draws you to it?

 

I have always been drawn to the classics and the impressionists, especially Monet, van Gogh, Degas amongst many. I like the movement and life that the brush strokes create, there is a kind of serenity in their paintings even when the motife is dramatic or very dynamic.

 

 

Do you have a favorite color — and does it carry a special feeling or story for you?

 

My favourite colour is blue, it always was. Maybe because it represents both the sky and the sea.

Painting by Henry Andersson

 

 

 

How do you usually sense that a painting (or piece) is finished?

 

Usually when I see that there is nothing more that I can add or remove. It's as if I can't put anything more of myself in it anymore. A day or two after finishing I return to it, and if that feeling is still there, I know it is done. 

 

 What do you hope people feel or think when they see your work?

 

I hope they feel something. Whether that is joy or something stirring inside, that would make me happy.

 

Has creating ever helped you through a difficult or changing time in your life?

 

Yes, for sure. There have been challenging times in my life when art was my only outlet. There are times when it is difficult to express what is going on, but art does not require any words. When painting and being in the zone, one can forget about all the things going on in the outside and inside world.

 

Painting by Henry Andersson

 

 

What has art taught you about yourself or about life in general?

 

Mostly that nothing is stagnant. An artblock does not mean that there will be no more creating.

There are times when you can be in the flow and feel really good about the outcome, and there are other times when you want to throw the canvas and all the brushes in the bin. So this mirrors life a bit I think. Ups and downs, but regardless, you keep going. 

 

What do you do when you feel stuck or blocked creatively? Any personal tricks that help you find your flow again?

 

It depends on the level of stuckness and how deep it is. Sometimes I just have to take a break and not look at it for a while. Other times, I just force myself to sketch something, anything. When I was younger, a glass of wine and some music helped sometimes to kickstart the inspiration, but these days a nap is probably more helpful.

 

What would you tell someone who wants to explore their own creativity but doesn’t know where to start?

 

Don't overthink it. We usually do know where to start, because we know what moves us. So whether it is drawing, painting or any other medium, just begin, without any expectation of outcome. Sometimes, the art is not in the completion, but in the process, so just begin somewhere, anywhere. 

 

 Painting by Henry Andersson

 

Do you have a favorite quote or saying that inspires you — and what does it mean to you?

 

Probably the Turkish one: "A picture is a poem without words". To me is what art represents. 

 

Is there something personal you’d like to share — a thought about Art, Life, or what you’d like to say to future generations of creators?

 

When you get to 87 years of age, you realise that there are so many things that we stress over in life, that really don't matter. That is why it is so important for any creator to just tap into their creativity and not listen to the critical voice that keeps telling them they are not good enough. Stop comparing yourself to others; only compare yourself to where you were yesterday.

And most of all, if you are drawn to creating, this is something that will be inside you always, so you might just as well accept that and keep creating, no matter the outcome.

 

 

A Little Note Before You Go

Thank you!