Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Henson.
Hi chase, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to art! I didn’t really start drawing seriously until I was 22, and I was definitely never the “art kid” in high school.
Back in 2010, I was going to Salt Lake Community College to become an aircraft mechanic. I was pretty bored with my classes and needed something to keep my hands busy, so I started sketching during lectures. Before long, I realized I was enjoying drawing a lot more than working on airplanes. After about six months, I decided aviation wasn’t for me and transferred to Utah Valley University to study Illustration. It cant be THAT hard right??
The rest kind of fell into place from there! Since graduating, I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including murals for Walmart stores and illustrations for the 78 Tarot project. These days I’m painting nearly every day, I teach art at a private school, create fantasy artwork, and travel around the country selling my work at comic and pop culture conventions.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not, haha!
I’ve had a failed tattoo apprenticeship, received dozens of rejection letters, been ghosted by clients, dealt with unpaid invoices, and made PLENTY of mistakes along the way. The reality is that building a career as an artist has been anything but smooth.
That said, none of it ever made me want to quit. I genuinely love the process of creating art and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Looking back, it probably took me 10–12 years before I felt like I was truly making a living as an artist, but every setback taught me something and helped me get where I am today.
And a huge shoutout to all the artists and mentors who kept my spirits up and helped guide me to where I am now. Having people in your corner makes a huge difference.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is always a tough question because I think a lot artists are constantly balancing two feelings at once: being proud of what they’ve accomplished while also feeling like they still have a long way to go.
If I had to describe my style, I’d point to three things: realism, movement, and color. I love pushing the level of detail and realism in my work, creating compositions that feel dynamic and alive, and using bold, vibrant color palettes to bring everything together. No matter how critical I am of my own work on a given day, those are the elements that I think best represent me as an artist.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
After growing up and living in Provo for nearly 30 years, Salt Lake City has been a wonderful place to call home. It’s easily one of the most beautiful cities I’ve lived in, small enough to feel approachable, clean, surrounded by incredible mountains, and full of character.
The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is the strong influence of both Mormon culture and ex-Mormon culture, which can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t lived in Utah, but religion and people’s relationships to it tend to shape a lot of the local culture and conversations. That said, Salt Lake feels noticeably less intense than Provo in that regard, which has made it a great fit for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bookofolith.com
- Instagram: @art_of_chase
- Other: arttofchase@gmail.com
