“Flight,” by Denver artist Randy S. Henderson, symbolizes man’s inhumanity to birds.

– Now that “The Real World: Denver” has finally landed, Denver artist Randy S. Henderson can tell the world about loaning his paintings to the show. Henderson, also a graphic designer at Denver-based Quark Inc., had his work featured prominently all over 1920 Market St. while the series filmed, and you’ll no doubt recognize some of it as the show progresses.

– Henderson is a self-described member of the Outsider Art scene (a.k.a. Art Brut) and has had paintings shown in Denver, New York and San Francisco, and painted custom works for movie and rock stars. I spoke with him last week about why the producers chose him, the general secrecy of the show, and whether he got all his art back without any scratches or puke stains on it…

How did Bunim-Murray Productions contact you in the first place?

It’s a coincidental story about a neighbor of mine whose husband’s friend had come over to my place. We all were just having a drink and hanging out. He noticed my paintings and said, “I really like your stuff and would be interested in buying one. Give me your number and we’ll talk.” A few months went by and I thought nothing of it, then he called and said, “I need your portfolio. I can’t tell you what it’s for, but it’s an important opportunity.”

How long did you have to wait after that?

That was a Friday. On Monday morning one of the producers for the show called me and said, “I really want to use your paintings on a national TV show. Is that OK with you?” Of course I said yes. And he just went through my portfolio and rattled off which ones he wanted. That afternoon I was meeting with them and taken through the space as they were still constructing it. So it just kind of happened by accident.

“French Inhale,” by artist Randy S. Henderson.

Did they commission any original works for the “Real World” house?

The whole deal with the mountain lodge sort of look to it — they asked me to do a couple paintings that sort of had that snow or outdoors feel to them. I did two of those, at 3×5 feet, a pretty good size. They also wanted me to do a painting of some sort of expression or emotion showing through it.

Did you get to see your work before the show started?

No… it was still too soon. At the beginning they had me sign a release saying I couldn’t talk about the show, what I saw, or what I was doing. Of course they’d sue me if I did. So I really couldn’t tell anybody. I never even got a chance to (see the house). I tried to a couple times because I wanted to go through and see how it looked with all the paintings up. But the deadline was so close to them finishing (construction) that they already had the cast members in the house. They were behind schedule or whatever. But they couldn’t let me in to take pictures or anything like that.

Do you remember when the cast members showed up?

I was a late May, maybe May 26th, that they said they had to start shooting. They weren’t even sure they’d be able to finish some of the set before the cast members got there. I think they were working around the clock just before it started.

“Mountain,” by Randy S. Henderson.

Were you able to go through the house after the show wrapped?

No, I haven’t really pursued that. I knew they had that open house a while back, which apparently they were charging people for.

Yeah. It didn’t do so well.

It wasn’t that big of a deal to me. I figured I’d see the stuff when I watched TV. That was more exciting to me.

Have you watched any episodes, and did you spot any of your work?

I’ve watched a couple of them so far. You have to know which pieces are mine. It’s sort of just these glances, because mostly the camera is focusing on the cast members. In the episode I saw they had just gotten into the house, and of course they all left to go to a bar. They had a couple glimpses of my paintings, in that long hall with the shuffleboard floor on the second floor.

Anywhere else in the house?

There’s the two on the left and right of the huge mural on the stairwell. And then there’s the two… I think there was a shot of the two of them, when the guy (Alex) and girl (Colie) were getting together. They had that funny black-and-white night vision going. Over the bed is one of the paintings, actually one of my favorite ones, so that was kind of neat to see.

“Crash,” by Randy S. Henderson.

Was there any kind of deal brokered with MTV or Bunim-Murray, besides the non-disclosure agreement?

No money was exchanged. It was just that I got a chance to put my paintings on a national show, and they would give me credit for it.

How important was that?

That was a big deal to me because it’s really difficult to get your stuff in front of the right people here in Denver. There just isn’t that sort of audience, I think. So I always try to do whatever I can to get into New York, San Francisco, etc. It’s just a different atmosphere (in those places) as far as art goes.

How and when did you get your paintings back?

Actually, Chuck, or one of the guys in the production team, called when it was finished filming and said, “Can we hang onto your paintings? We’re trying to sell the space.” So I got them back on October 1st.

“Bird & Bow” by Randy S. Henderson.

Were they in good condition, or did they have vomit and beer stains all over them?

That’s what I thought was going to happen (laughs), but no, they were all in good condition. They did a good job taking care of them.

Are you going to try for other TV shows now that you’re done with “The Real World”?

I’ve thought about that in the past and it’s like a gang fight. It’s very difficult because everybody wants to put their stuff on some kind of show somewhere. Trying to find a company or a person with a connection to place it, it’s too much trouble. If it would just be by coincidence, that would be great.

– Check out more art by Randy S. Henderson here.

“Refinery,” by Randy S. Henderson.

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