Brenda M. White Henriquez

I’ve been painting my entire life. When I was four years old my private canvas was the wall space behind the curtains in my bedroom. I have a distinct memory of my father, on moving day, telling me that the walls in the new home were definitely off limits. 

I took every art class that would fit into my rigorous academic schedule throughout my education. I was extremely driven academically, graduated valedictorian from high school, and then received my BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. 

I’ve been a published scientist, a designer featured on HGTV, a volunteer on every board imaginable in my town and local school district, a wife, and a mom to three beautiful daughters and one snaggle-toothed, black shih tzu. 

Now that my daughters are all out of college and graduate programs, I have the time to come back to my easel. I love focusing on the details when I paint. I love the texture and drying time of oil paint. I have probably worked at the easel at every hour of the day. Being a night owl I have been in the studio until sunrise if the mood hits. I love painting with music playing- anything from 80s music, to Doris Day, to classical pieces. My studio was always my favorite room in the house and is filled with my favorite things. I use family mementos in my studio; I store my paints in my mom’s cherished milk glass pieces. The capiz shell chandelier I made hangs in one corner, reminds me of my great aunt, and adds its own melody if a breeze sneaks in. I happily share my studio with my shih tzu who ccasionally he gives me a pretty judgey look, but he doesn’t paint. 

I enjoy trying oil paints made all over the world. I also like using a variety of surfaces for them; different canvases and panels. And although I have been commissioned to paint a few murals, I try to give my own bedroom walls a break nowadays.