Meet Stephen Henning

Stephen Henning is a contemporary landscape painter based in Minnesota, whose work emerges from decades of direct experience in wild places. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas and oil pastel, his paintings translate the atmosphere of forests, lakes, and open landscapes into immersive, large-scale compositions designed to define a space.

Informed by an Impressionist sensitivity to light and color, Henning’s work balances observation and imagination — inviting viewers into landscapes that feel both familiar and quietly transcendent.

Studio Location
Evansville, Minnesota

Early Career and Artistic Foundations

Stephen Henning’s artistic career spans decades, evolving from award-winning graphic design and illustration into a celebrated journey of impressionistic painting. An alumnus of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the University of Minnesota, Henning first made his mark as an art director and creative director in the Twin Cities, where his innovative work earned several professional awards.

His connection to the natural world began much earlier. From the age of five, Henning was mentored by Ernest Oberholtzer, one of the founders of The Wilderness Society and a prominent advocate for the preservation of the Boundary Waters, as well as by Lyle Bradley, head of the Science Department for the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Both men encouraged his deep love of wilderness and outdoor exploration.

Henning’s earliest introduction to painting came through Gene Ritchie Monohan, a prominent portrait and landscape painter, who helped nurture his artistic development and appreciation for the craft of painting.

A pivotal visit to a Monet exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 1989 reignited his passion for painting, and by 1993 he had transitioned to painting full-time, focusing on capturing the atmosphere and emotional resonance of natural landscapes.

Arts Leadership and Community Engagement

Henning’s dedication to the arts has extended beyond his own studio practice. In 1995 he founded the Evansville Arts Coalition, an initiative designed to expand access to arts experiences in his community. He has also contributed to arts education through Artists in the Schools programs sponsored by COMPAS and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Professional Recognition

Henning’s first public exhibition in 1996 at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts set records for both attendance and sales, establishing him as an Honorary Director. Building on this early success, he founded Inspiration Peak Publishing Company, which distributed limited-edition prints to more than 350 galleries across 15 Midwestern states.

Today his paintings are held in private collections in all 50 states and on three continents, including those of media personalities, business leaders, and healthcare organizations seeking artwork that contributes to calm, restorative environments.

Career Highlights

• First public solo exhibition at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts (1995) set records for attendance and sales

• Founder of Inspiration Peak Publishing Company, distributing limited-edition prints to more than 350 galleries across 15 Midwestern states

• Paintings held in private collections in all 50 U.S. states and on three continents

• Signature Member, Oil Pastel Society

• Member, American Impressionist Society

• Founder, Evansville Arts Coalition

• President, Alexandria Art Guild

• Chairman, Prairie Lakes Plein Air

Artistic Evolution

Henning’s style, initially rooted in representation, has evolved toward a more expressive form of contemporary Impressionism. Inspired by the forests, lakes, and open landscapes of North America, his work seeks to capture the atmosphere and emotional presence of place rather than literal description.

Today he continues to explore these themes through both oil pastel and large-scale acrylic paintings, occasionally sharing his expertise through workshops and exhibitions.

Professional Affiliations

• American Impressionist Society
• Oil Pastel Society — Signature Member
• Outdoor Painters of Minnesota
• President, Alexandria Art Guild
• Art of the Lakes Association
• Chairman, Prairie Lakes Plein Air

Artist Statement

“A connection to nature is essential to our well-being. My contemporary Impressionist landscapes are intended to evoke a sense of serenity and closeness to the natural world.

These paintings are created to transform interior spaces — bringing the restorative presence of nature into homes, workplaces, and public environments.”

— Stephen Henning