Tim Henning
Searsport, ME
“Making art is the most life affirming thing I do.
Tim Henning (he/him/his) of Searsport, Maine has been painting for 6 years. He considers painting his “best form of expression.” Visual experiences such as nature, the streets, or television inspire his use of color and form. He’s looking forward to the increased sense of self-worth that is associated with selling his art.
Tim works almost exclusively in acrylics because of their flexibility and simplicity. He first comes up with an idea. Then, he mentally works through how it can be created, refined, and made better. While making art, his mind is (hopefully) quiet and eyes are open. Tim has learned from life's difficulties to not try to force creativity. He doesn’t try too hard nor take things too lightly.
Tim lives with chronic depression and his art has served as a personally directed therapy for himself. He shares: “Depression can be debilitating, it can be isolating and it can steal who you are. I think the majority of the general public has little idea of what "Depression" is about or how drastically it can change your life. Too often I have to turn within myself looking for understanding. So, I started my own little course of Art Therapy. Many of my paintings are about either looking past my depression or looking at it. Painting takes my mind off of my situation and focuses it on something more productive. I think the act of creation is in itself a healing. I hope everyone can find their own creativity and realize benefits in the process.”
The experience of natural wonders like forests, hills, rivers, and fresh air have inspired Tim’s identity. “There was so much to experience and to contemplate, so much that is pure, natural, and beautiful that I wonder what I would be like now without that background.”
“What I like the most is to watch people’s faces as they stand in front of a piece of my work for the first time, I love to watch their expressions as they consider my work.”
