Description:

Henryk Ptasiewicz
British-American, 1955-2025
Music Theatre
Oil on panel
2015, signed on verso. Painted en plein air in Steelville, MO, framed.

Henryk Leon Ptasiewicz was born July 17, 1955, in Scunthorpe, England. He studied technical illustration at Kelsterton College in North Wales and graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art in London. Henryk worked in England for 14 years as a designer/sculptor in the fiberglass industry, making everything from children's play equipment to full size dinosaurs. Henryk later worked for 12 years as a special effects designer and book illustrator artist. During this time, he befriended Robert Lenkiewicz, a well-known figurative painter in Britain. Robert influenced Henryk's artistic practice with his style of painting.



Henryk moved to St. Louis in 1999. Upon his arrival, he created his "Hire your own Picasso" artistic practice, leading him to paint commissions and teach classes. He also promptly joined the St Louis Art Guild and met each week with a group of painters at the Guild to work. Henryk's immersion in the St. Louis art scene led to his invitation in 2014 to paint several fiberglass cake sculptures for St. Louis' 250th birthday, decorated with prominent citizens such as Dred Scott, Vincent Price, and the United Hebrew Congregation.



Henryk was one of the founding members of the Missouri Plein Air Painters. He became a regular at regional plein air painting competitions, where he was often awarded – including for several of the paintings offered here. In 2017, he was an invited artist at the Door County Plein Air Event in Wisconsin. He also developed a live drawing practice, working at the Naughti Gras event at the Koken Art Factory, weddings and fundraisers – most notably for the Humane Society. Henryk was a staple of the arts community in St. Louis for decades before passing away at his studio on October 22, 2025.

  • Dimensions: 12 x 36 in. (30.5 x 91.4 cm.), Frame: 15 x 39 in. (38.1 x 99.1 cm.)
  • Medium: Oil on panel
  • Condition:
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December 12, 2025 10:00 AM CST
St. Louis, MO, US

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