Surreal Seattle Muralist, Henry

Seattle Henry, also known as Ryan Henry Ward, has a reputation as Seattle’s most prolific artist. From music shops to car dealerships, Seattle Henry’s offbeat murals could have their own zip code!

However, his path took many strange directions before he became a full-time artist, a severe injury and personal tragedy changing his course. Nowadays, painting helps Ward access his imagination and live joyfully.

Read on to discover how Seattle Henry became the Emerald City’s best-known street artist.

Let’s jump in!

The Story of Ryan Henry Ward

Ryan Henry Ward was born on a Montana farm. He loved making art from age three. Throughout childhood and adolescence, he won art contests, drew, and created greeting cards. He even created his own comic strips.

His family eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he attended Western Washington University and earned a customized degree focused on creative arts. For several years he worked as a landscaper with his brother.

However, Ward started making art full-time after an accident affected his mobility. A few years before this he also lost his older brother. He was impoverished during the early days of his career, living on the street and on a bus for some time.

Also known as “Seattle Henry” or simply “Henry,” he now lives on a boat in Seattle and works out of a studio in the Ballard area. Between 2008 and 2014, he completed more than 180 public murals and large-scale pieces in Seattle alone!

What Inspires Seattle Henry?

Seattle Henry draws inspiration from fellow artists. He cites illustrators like Dr. Seuss and Quentin Blake as influences. Surrealist artists like Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Diego Rivera are among some of his favorites. He also loves sci-fi art. Although his current work usually depicts fantastical characters, his earliest murals included family scenes and people playing music.

When creating, Ward retreats into his imagination. He describes his artistic process in an interview with WhatcomTalk.com: “I kind of go into the zone or a trance, and get lost in my imagination and mind and feel like the pressures of the world don’t exist.”

He says these artistic trances allow him to access a more emotional, vulnerable part of himself. That side is brimming with creativity and ideas for new paintings.

What Mediums Does Seattle Henry Work With?

As a muralist, Seattle Henry works primarily with spray paints. But his canvases vary, depending on the location of the project. He’s completed murals on building exteriors, garages, school interiors, and even cars and other vehicles. Unlike some street artists, he always asks business owners’ permission before starting a public mural.

By now, Seattle Henry’s work is a common sight for area residents. He says his murals have been well-received over the years. He views his paintings as part of the city’s ever-changing ecosystem.

What Are Some of Seattle Henry’s Art Pieces?

Seattle Henry’s imagination is full of fantastical, magical characters. Some of the artist’s signature characters, including a loveable sasquatch, are well-known in the Seattle area. His murals are colorful, quirky, and surreal.

Let’s explore a few of Seattle Henry’s murals.

Massive Dewey Griffin Subaru Mural

This mural resides at the Dewey Griffin Subaru store (1800 Iowa Street) in Bellingham, Washington. At nearly 8,000 square feet, it’s the biggest hand-painted mural in the state! The first step in Seattle Henry’s process was to outline what he planned to paint. In a second step, he filled in the giant canvas with color.

Seattle Henry hoped to capture the spirit of Bellingham with this piece. The artist painted animals skiing, camping, and hiking since these are popular local pastimes. Because Subarus are popular cars among outdoorsy folks, the mural fits perfectly with the business.

Seattle Records Mural

Seattle Henry painted this piece on the side of Seattle Records (5521 University Way NE.) This mural is one of his more surreal works. It features several quirky characters, including a Dali-inspired elephant, in a psychedelic landscape.

The artist used cool jewel tones for this painting, giving it a dreamy, relaxed feel. Two unicorns with records spinning on their horns are visible above the building’s entrance. This portion of the piece is so popular that the store features it on their t-shirts!

Maple Leaf Music Space Mural

This piece adorns the exterior of the Maple Leaf Music Space (1060 NE 100th Street) in Seattle. Seattle Henry’s signature cute characters fill the walls along with flowers and pink bubbles. The building’s yellow window panes complement the mural’s maroon background beautifully.

Since Maple Leaf is a music school and workshop, Seattle Henry decided on a musical theme for this piece. Owls, squirrels, and penguins play pianos, horns, and upright bass. A black bear plays the banjo while a lazy dog lounges and strums a guitar. Even a sneaky gnome peeks out above a window to watch the show. The charming mural is a perfect backdrop for music students of all ages.

Where Can I See Some of Seattle Henry’s Art?

Seattle Henry’s art is all over the city. If you decide to visit the area, you won’t have to look hard to see his work. But if you can’t visit the Pacific Northwest, don’t worry! His pieces are easy to find online as well.

You can check out Seattle Henry’s Instagrams, @henry_beyond_museums and @ryanhenryward, for dozens of photos of his art. He updates the accounts frequently with shots of finished murals, works in progress, and more. Some of his most recent posts feature sculptures he’s currently painting! He also promotes art shows and other events on his account.

Want to decorate your home with the artist’s work? You can buy prints and original canvases on Seattle Henry’s website, ItsAHenry.com. The website also features mugs, t-shirts, magnets, enamel pins, and more. There’s even a plush baby sasquatch for the stuffed animal lover in your life.

Seattle’s Most Prolific Artist

Seattle Henry is a true hometown hero. From his early struggles with poverty to his now-accomplished career, he’s a real inspiration. His cheerful, whimsical characters are perfect representations of his big imagination. Ryan Henry Ward’s charm and positivity are a testament to what makes the Seattle area special.

Now that you’ve seen some of Seattle Henry’s murals, do you have a favorite? Would you explore these pieces in person? Tell us in the comments!