The painter Jeremy Henderson who lived at Boho passed away peacefully on April 28 following the diagnosis of a brain tumour two years ago.

In his powerful and evocative paintings, inspired in part by Fermanagh landscapes and traditional Irish forms, he pays homage to the aesthetic tradition of painter Jack. B. Yeats and influences from the Dutch masters, literature, music and life itself.

Jeremy John Christmas Henderson was born on Christmas Day 1952, the son of Jimmy and Doris Henderson of the former Henderson and Eadie Woollen Mill, and brother to Sandra and Mandy. The early influences at home were often creative as the family were interested in music, or making paintings and props for stage designs in amateur productions. As a young boy he loved playing football and going fishing with his friends in Lisbellaw. In those days it was usual to disappear for most of the daylight hours to play without anyone worrying.

He attended Gloucester House and Portora Royal School, where he found friends for life and found his true metier in the art studio.

Jeremy studied at the University of Ulster for a foundation art year and then in London at Kingston University between 1973 and 1976. He studied Fine Art at Kingston and was awarded a First Class Honours degree. His tutor was Terry Jones and he was influenced by the painter John Hoyland. In 1977, he became Fellow for the first Stanley Picker Fellowship at Kingston and artist in residence with their undergraduate students.

He completed his Masters degree at Chelsea College of Art and Design in 1979 where tutors guided him in his exploration and love of colour.

He achieved early success in exhibitions at the Roundhouse in London, Whitworth Gallery in Manchester and also in New York and later critical acclaim. This was balanced with periods of hardship, as it is for many artists. His early work was in the abstract contemporary style of the period but he turned to more lyrical influences from the 1980s onwards, developing these to achieve exceptional work. The titles for his paintings reflect his love of language and reveal much of his thinking in layers of meaning and the tension within his work, combined with the colour and expressive paint energy of an enigmatic landscape. His work is appreciated on many levels. His one man exhibitions "Paintings Across A Border" and "Around a Border" in 1986 were well received, leading to "Present Memories" at the Arts Council Gallery in Belfast and The Hendriks Gallery in Dublin in 1987.

Jeremy"s first daughter Emerald was born in 1987 when he lived in London with his first partner.

Jeremy then had his studio in Brick Lane, centrally based in London with artists such as Gilbert and George living around the corner.

In 1993, he met his future wife, fellow artist and actress Patricia Martinelli, who is of Italian heritage. They married in 1995 and their daughter Bella-Lucia was born in 1997. The couple moved between London and Fermanagh for a period of years, before eventually settling in Boho in 2000 where together they restored the old barracks as their family home.

Jeremy continued to work in new media. In 2001 he was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Arts Council to produce painted wall pieces made of vitreous enamel for the William Jefferson Clinton Peace Centre in Enniskillen. He was proud to have his works recognised and included in the National Art Collection in 2004 and more recently. These paintings are at the Castle Museum. His work is held in private and corporate collections.

He was a respected artists whose work will live on for many years and retain the respect they deserve. His work and biography have already been included in important art publications such as 'From Past to Present'.

Jeremy was a complex person. He thoroughly enjoyed company and conversation, whether talking about the intricacies of cooking, art history, literature, current exhibitions, work, playing the guitar, gardening or making things. He could equally, be self-absorbed. Jeremy"s illness became apparent when he seemed to be unable to remember familiar things and his sentences trailed off into silence. The diagnosis and outcome was hard for all to bear. He remained positive throughout his treatment and continued to paint as long as he could. He appreciated greatly his care from a superb team of doctors and nurses and special carers.

His most recent exhibition was in October 2008 at the Castle Museum in Enniskillen with painter Philip Flanagan and ceramicist Ann McNulty. He travelled and enjoyed new conversations and reflections, and renewed the bond with his nephews Oliver and Graham. Jeremy was cared for throughout the journey at his home by Patricia and his family and received much practical help, support and love from friends -- many in the local community and from Portora days. The service, attended by family and friends and led by Archdeacon Cecil Pringle at Boho Parish Church on May 1 included a moving eulogy, readings and traditional music.

Jeremy was laid to rest in the churchyard. After the service, the family invited those present to his studio.

Jeremy Henderson leaves his wife Patricia, their daughter Bella-Lucia, his daughter Emerald Henderson and the wider family circle.