Henri fell in love with hand engraving after some research in a printmaking class in 2007. He self-studied while simultaneously pursing a Bachelor's in Studio Art concentrating in Metals and Jewelry at JMU in Harrisonburg, VA, taught by sci-fi art jewelry maker Mark Rooker. Afterwards, Henri traveled to California to work and study as an Engraver's Apprentice with Brian Marshall of Stockton Jewelry Arts School.
Henri has worked in the jewelry field at Jared's Galleria of Jewelry and at Michael Schwartz' Creative Metalworks in Kensington, MD doing custom engraving and precious metalsmithing. He is a Marine veteran and has a Master's Degree in Art's Management.
Henri has loved art in many forms since a young age, encouraged by his grandparents who nurtured his potential for creativity. His work is informed by classical drawing, lowbrow pop surrealism, video games, skateboard culture, humor and visual puns, cyberpunk universe, Japanese Meiji Era Metalsmithing, engraving from any era, and several other inspirations.
My work is informed by many diverse influences, including classical art and drawing, lowbrow pop surrealism, video games, skateboard culture, humor, visual puns, the cyberpunk universe, and engraving from any era. I'm particularly intrigued by the Japanese Meiji Era of Metalsmithing, and I'd like to dedicate more time to research and understand its compositions and techniques. This was a time where artistic metalworking was at a peak and there are surely many valuable lessons to be learned.
Engraving is a core passion for me. With respect to engraving I like to explore non-traditional materials images, sizes, and applications, often treating engraving not just as a method for embellishment of an item but as an object of art itself. While engraving is often reserved for small items like coins, jewelry or watches, I have a tendency to push into larger scale work for the challenge, without sacrificing the delicate beauty. I want to explore using design, patterns, and textures, and sculptural elements, and special focus on color using inlay of traditional metals and also materials like gemstone and minerals, patina or Damascene techniques. I'm especially keen on exploring non-standard materials like acrylics, glass, and the endless selections of mixed media, possibly including lights, fiber optics, or electronics, which is an area I have yet to explore.
In silversmithing and metalsmithing, my focus would primarily be on fabrication. I envision building vessels, boxes, teapots, and sculptures, some for the form itself and some for the purpose of embellishment and I also have ideas for art jewelry that involves complex fabrication.
Lastly, and of very personal importance to me is my motivation for this. I have been an artist my whole life, but professionally, I have been caught in the corporate machine for purposes of comfort and conformity, only creating and thinking "art" in the tiny bits of freedom granted when I am not beholden to the contracts of empires not my own. I am at a point in my life where an existential desire to do the work I was meant to do and reach for my true potential is calling me. As the years go by, it's becoming more apparent that I can't wait until its all over to begin to spend the time to put my own call out into the void and see what calls back. The time is now and there is no possibility of failure for me. Any pursuit in this direction for me will be worthy and failure will just return me back to my current state of captivity, so to speak.
A ship was not built for safe harbor; this time would be my opportunity to untether once again and explore the vast seas of creativity as I was meant to do.
