Our 'Artist Spotlight' series is back with a bang! Not only did we get to talk to Henry Rivers about his art journey (and find out his favourite travel destination)…but he has also created an exclusive UAE collection just for us!

Originally from the Isle of Wight, Henry is currently living and working in London. He is best known for his playful, minimalist posters, which reflect his passion for travel. Working in a combination of hand-painted and digital techniques, Henry creates richly textured artworks with a sense of calm and escapism. 

Check out his UAE collection via the below link or read the interview below to find out more about what makes Henry tick.

Q: Henry, can you tell us about your artistic background and what initially sparked your interest in art?

A: Art has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I used to go along to my grandmother’s watercolor group on the Isle of Wight. I was the youngest person there by 60 years! I also spent a lot of time at home with my head buried in my sketchbook, usually drawing animals or my favourite pokemon.

Q: How would you describe your artistic style or the recurring themes in your work?

A: Colourful minimalism. There's something very satifsying to me about reducing a design to as few elements as possible, leaving just enough of the true scene for it to be evocative. I also love playing with colour in my designs - particularly shades of blue, which are a common theme for sure.

Q: Are there any particular artists or art movements that have influenced your artistic journey?

A: A lot of my inspiration comes from vintage art deco advertising. I've always been drawn to the clean geometry and the glamorous little characters contrasted against dramatic landscapes and iconic places. 

Q: What is your creative process like? How do you approach a new piece or decide which city or elements to include?

A: All my art starts off as a rough scribble in my sketchbook, usually something that takes only a couple minutes. It often takes a year or so to go from scribble to finished piece. I like to give myself lots of time to develop the idea, revisiting it and sketching it over and over to tweak the layout, colours and gradually build in more detail. In the last stage I recreate the sketches in photoshop, adding in scans of hand painted textures to add an extra layer of atmosphere and depth.

Q: Are there any specific goals or aspirations you have for your artistic career?

A: I've spent so much of my time creating travel-inspired artwork, but I've never actually had the chance to create a "real" travel posters for an official tourism board or city. I'd love to have this oppourtunity one day, hint hint,