We recently had the chance to connect with Colleen Hennessy and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Colleen, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I think I am doing both. I have always walked the path of learning in my adult life. I am studying Portuguese and Italian as a daily challenge, as I continue to pursue oil painting and sharing my vision. I have always been energized by travel and photography, always looking forward to what I will see through my lens. As a self-taught painter, I also feel that I am wandering down a road of techniques, and styles I am drawn to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Colleen Hennessy’s work is a tapestry woven from a life lived deeply in the American Southwest and enriched by Latin America’s vibrant colors and spirit. As a Denver native who followed a meandering path – from the West Coast to New Mexico, and finally to Honduras as a Peace Corps volunteer – Colleen always felt drawn back to the landscapes and cultures that resonate within her soul. Though of Irish heritage, she claims an “alma Latino” – a Latin soul – and that sensibility permeates her artistic expression. For many years, Colleen explored the world through the lens of a camera, capturing the enduring beauty of landscapes and architecture, along with the intimate moments of weddings and portraits. Her time in the mountain jungle of Honduras sparked a parallel journey into painting, where acrylics and watercolors allowed Colleen to translate the vibrant energy of that environment onto paper.
Throughout Colleen’s career, she has embraced opportunities to share her vision through exhibitions and publications, including five books of paintings and six bilingual children’s books. An artist residency at the Immersive Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo exhibits in Denver provided a fertile ground for creative exploration and a direct connection with a wider audience. Colleen’s art is a conversation between cultures, a celebration of color and form, and a testament to the enduring power of human creativity.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
A New Mexico painter named Rosemary McLoughlin was the director of the NMSU Art Gallery where I held a work-study job as a student. My major was Spanish, and I spent 5 semesters in the clay studio in the Art Department. Rosemary told me several times that she thought I was a painter, and encouraged me to paint on surfaces in addition to my fired clay pieces. I loved drawing and painting in my youth, and when I became deeply absorbed in fine art photography in Denver, I told myself that I needed to stick with only one medium (photography) and get good at it. Eventually, I experimented with painting black and white photographs with Marshall’s Photo Oil paints. I loved the process and freedom of blending the colors.
During my 2 1/2 year experience in Peace Corps Honduras, friends began sending me paints and brushes. I purchased large sheets of paper to paint on until a friend sent me canvas paper. It rained 9 months a year in my village, so I began painting every day. This brought me incredible joy.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That the Universe doesn’t make mistakes. Everything happens when it is supposed to. Trust the delays, and trust the detours. Patience and gratitude are the most important things.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That an artist’s work has to fall into a category, and that artists have to work in a series in order to be taken seriously. Sometimes the art statements hold more importance than the artwork itself. The industry seems to care more about the name behind the artwork rather than the artwork itself.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Longevity does not run in my clan. My parents and brother all died young. I am living my life now as if I had 10 years left. I spend my days painting, photographing, and worshipping my precious cat and spouse. I adore time with my many friends and also cherish my quiet time alone. I have stopped taking anything or anyone for granted. We need to create our own joy. None of us knows how much time we have. I have lost several friends who were younger than me. I find myself dedicating things to these special people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colleenhennessy.wixsite.com/original-works-by-ch
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cohennes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cohennes
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
