Mary Ida Henrikson was born and raised in Ketchikan Alaska and was influenced by the adventure writers, photographers and artists grouped around the Alaska Sportsman Magazine that was published in Ketchikan.  She studied art history, English literature, fine art, and philosophy at Central Washington University and Claremont Graduate University. 

She found inspiration through the changing environments inherent in work on the North Slope, Alaska Marine Highway and the fishing industry.  Mary also taught at Ketchikan Community College and University of Alaska Southeast.  In 1990 she founded Danger Island Studio on Creek Street in Ketchikan and closed the studio to study in New York at the Arts Students League.   She is shown nationally and is widely published.

Mary loves to travel to museum shows and rock concerts around the world and has traveled extensively in Belize.  She continually explores Alaska and spends as much time as possible at her cabin in Southeast Alaska.