Henry Valverde Canales

AGE: 35 years old.

He was interested in painting since he was a child. His brother inspired him because his brother used to draw and sculpt. His brother will say “Let’s play drawing”, at first, he wasn’t interested. But his brother will draw all the time, and he became more curious, until he decided to play.

He became so obsessed with drawing that he even did it at school, which caused him problems with his teachers because he wasn’t paying much attention to the classes or wouldn’t care about playing with his friends in recess. But later, even his teachers and classmates will admire the way he painted and drew and will ask him to make drawings for them.

His parents will be very supportive and told him “One day you will become a great painter”. That was his wish as well.

One day, a painter went to his town, Juan Fajardo. He will work outside his house, which was close to Henry’s school. So, Henry will go outside and from the school yard watch him work and will try to learn his techniques. Juan saw him one day, and told him, “You can come anytime so I can teach you.”

Henry went to visit Juan for 2 months, learning from him. He couldn’t continue because he had to start working.

He will work at a hotel during the day and will paint at night. He will keep practicing every day, as an autodidact.

He says, “Every day you learn a little bit more, even the mistakes make you better”. Therefore, he accepts criticism very well, because that is something that helps him perfect his art.

His family will be very important in his career, they will help him as much as they can.

He feels he has a gift, which he is grateful for. His brother was there to help him discover that gift, and the people in his town have been very supportive by appreciating and buying his paintings.

He lives 100% from his paintings, and that is the way he supports his family.



He also exhibits his art every October in an Expo in a Gallery in his town.