As a young man, Tom Henrichsen had two passions, art and music. When he wasn't painting or drawing caricatures, he was learning to play guitar. After studying fine art at Illinois State and the American Academy of Art, Tom decided to pursue his love of music and started to build a career as a musician and teacher. In 1990 he purchased El Rey Music, a local institution in Chicago. During this period, in addition to teaching guitar, he drew caricatures for trade shows and corporate events and level drawing.

While on vacation in Scottsdale, Az, Tom met a western artist named Harold Lyons and was inspired to begin painting again. When he returned to Chicago, he began studying painting with Dominic Vignola and Frankie Johnson. Tom also counts portrait artist Bill Chambers as a mentor. Since selling El Rey Music in 2005, Tom has devoted himself full time to painting.

Tom also displays and sells his work at fine art fairs throughout the Midwest and is a member of Oil Painters of America.

Recent awards include:
Merit Award - Promenade of Art, Arlington Heights, Il
Merit Award - Cantigny Fine Art Fair, Wheaton, Il
First Place - Champion Orland Park Fine Art Fair, Orland Park, Il
Merit Award - Art in the Glen, Glenview, Il
Third Place - West End Art Festival, LaGrange, Il
Best of Oil - Art in the Barn, Barrington,Il