Spring is here and we’re excited about the 27th annual Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM) opening its doors at Wesleyan School for two days, Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WAM celebrates a vast array of mediums and price points. Creative, fun and beautiful treasures abound for every taste and budget.
Approximately 85 professional artist from across the southeast will be in attendance this year to showcase their wares. Shop for yourself or check off any gift needs with fine art, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, drawings, glassware, jewelry, woodwork, photography, mixed media, textiles and more.
As diverse as the exhibitors are, they share one thing in common, along with the whole community; they all rave about WAM!
It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to three of this year’s talented participants with this artist spotlight series, this time sharing the story and work of artist Heidi Hensley.
The journey of an accidental artist
Most artists can pinpoint the moment their passion ignited — a childhood drawing or transformative museum visit. The same is true for Athens, Georgia artist, Heidi Hensley, though her path to becoming a celebrated painter took an indirect route through the world of architecture and interior design.
This is a story about a creative spirit finding her true calling in the most serendipitous way.
“I graduated from UGA in Architectural Interior Design. I didn’t set out to be an artist at all,” Hensley shared in her characteristic, cheerful tone.
For years after graduation, she focused firmly on the technical realm. She operated her own business, collaborating with homebuilders and decorators and drafting meticulous floor plans and building renderings.
“I did technical drawings for quite a while after I graduated,” she recalled. The precision and attention to detail, sharpened through years of architectural work, would later subtly influence her artistic style, providing a strong foundation in perspective and form.
A date with destiny
The catalyst for Hensley’s artistic awakening arrived in the form of a gentle yet persistent request. Eighteen years ago, a friend tasked her with commemorating her childhood home by painting it. It would spark a revelation that surprised Hensley most of all.
Hensley had never picked up a paintbrush. Yet somehow, she knew that a painting would serve to preserve the memories held within the walls of her friend’s home like an architectural drawing never could.
“I told her I could do a rendering of her house, but I couldn’t paint,” she explained. However, her friend’s heartfelt wish softened her stance.
Despite the almost certainty that she couldn’t do it, Hensley replied, “I’ll give it a try.” This intimidating act of willingness led to a moment Hensley describes as nothing short of divine.
Seemingly out of nowhere, something clicked. The architect abandoned her usual straight lines and precise angles as her hand moved about with unexpected freedom. “I try to explain to people what happened in that moment. I picked up a canvas and a paintbrush, and it was a heavens opening moment,” she said.
Instant style
The transition from technical lines to flowing brushstrokes was surprisingly natural for Hensley. “Even though I was trained very classically and tight-lined, that’s not what came through when I painted,” she marveled.
Her innate artistic sensibility ignited a creative fire that seemed to bypass years of formal training, resulting in an energetic, whimsical style that was almost immediately recognizable. Her technique — an extension of her newfound obsession.
A fun, bold touch became the hallmark of her work once she realized the forgiving nature of paint. Hensley’s work exudes an optimistic quality. “My glass is half full 99% of the time,” she stated.
The artist describes capturing the “life energy” of her subjects, whether monuments, buildings, canoes or Native American tribesmen.
“There’s an energy, almost a vibration to everything we see and do. If you look at my paintings, they move. They’re not stagnant; my lines are not hard. I create the aura around them, and that produces this energetic feeling,” she explained.
Streets that inspire
With the artistic floodgates open, Hensley began exploring her surroundings with a painter’s eye, swapping blueprints for nostalgia-evoking street scenes of Athens.
“Not long after that first painting, I fell in love with it; I started doing more. Because I was trained architecturally, I was drawn to streets and buildings around town,” she said.
But a shift from precise lines to expressive brush strokes had her capturing the character of buildings in a way she never had before.
The power of a college town
To supplement her income while pursuing her artistic endeavors, Hensley waited tables at an Athens restaurant. This position, seemingly unrelated, provided an unexpected platform for her burgeoning talent.
When an artist backed out of the establishment’s monthly art show, Hensley seized the opportunity to step in. She filled the walls with her signature “towny paintings” of beloved Athens landmarks like the iconic Georgia Theatre, The Last Resort and the famous University Arch.
Her art had captured the essence of these cherished spots, along with the hearts of those who loved Athens and had seen countless shows, enjoyed memorable meals and shared graduation memories there. It was a bold move that paid off handsomely.
“I took a chance and put together a show that December, about 16 years ago, and I sold out — twice,” Hensley smiled.
Hensley had tapped into the strong emotional connections we have with our favorite places. What resonates with people more than the landmarks that represent their most cherished memories?
In a town constantly welcoming new students and bidding farewell to graduates, Hensley recognized the power of nostalgic landmarks.
“In a college town, you have this influx of people constantly, and so you have this iconic memory, for lack of a better word, that you want to hang onto,” she explained.
Paint like a mother
The arrival of her first child shaped Hensley’s artistic journey. Her heart was being pulled towards her artistic side when she found herself at home with her infant son whom she described as notably “needy.”
“I’d hold him in my arms while I painted, which furthered this loose style that I developed,” Hensley revealed.
Having to work quickly, with only one free hand, encouraged the dynamic quality that defines her art today. One might attribute her style to the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
Remember to play
Hensley was crushed when, by age three, that same restless son accurately observed, “Mama, you’ve forgotten to play.” Soon thereafter, the Artful Reminders series materialized — a slew of aides-mémoires appearing on her woodwork pieces.
“I started thinking, we all have to remember to love, to forgive, to breathe. I painted a heart with wings: remember to love. I made a VW van: remember the journey,” she described.
Anticipating a big break, Hensley explored ways to market the idea. But when she brought her Artful Reminders to the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, fate had a different plan.
The reminders didn’t quite fill her booth, so a friend suggested displaying some of her Athens paintings too. It was a last-minute addition that proved pivotal to Hensley’s career.
While the kitschy reminders garnered some interest, her paintings of Athens captivated the right buyers. Asked if she could paint Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Hensley agreed, though she’d never been there. Her entrepreneurial spirit prevailed, “I’m sure I could if you told me what to put in it.”
On the map
That one request opened a new world for Hensley’s art. “I had all these Artful Reminder products — a Christmas ornament, note cards, a print; they could be made into t-shirts. The same ladies asked if I could put Hopkinsville on those products too,” Hensley shared.
The success was immediate and surprising. She sold 2,600 Hopkinsville, Kentucky ornaments between November and December of that year.
In this same manner, Hensley soon realized that the smallest towns were the best. Recognizing this niche, she rebranded and rose as the city artist.
“I can paint your city or town and put it on anything,” she promised.
Over the next four years, her company flourished. To date, Hensley has painted all 50 states, and 683 cities. This was the reminder people wanted, connecting them to their roots and to all the places they hold dear.
Glory Haus
With a blended family of six children, Hensley prioritizes painting, recognizing that the business side of art is not her forte. She recently signed an important contract allowing an Atlanta-based national distributor with an expansive reach to mass produce her products.
Launching in January of 2026 under the name Glory Haus with Heidi Hensley Art, her art will soon grace a variety of everyday items like trays, insulated tumblers, mugs, tea towels, pillows and canvases.
WAM
Hensley offers live painting at WAM. The artist will paint your home or your pet during market hours so everyone can witness her creative process firsthand.
She’s done this for six years, working from photographs. If you’d like a painting of your home or a beloved pet, bring Hensley your pictures!
For $200 you can walk away with an original painting on an 11-inch by 14-inch canvas.
For Hensley, WAM is about the connections she’s fostered over the years. She values the bonds she’s created with hosts and customers alike. “I see a lot of the same people and families come through every year,” she observed.
“Wesleyan has always had a special place in my heart. It’s the best show I’ve ever done as far as how well they take care of you. They feed you, it’s indoors, you don’t have to put up your own walls, they help you load in and out. It’s the Mercedes Benz of art shows!”
Just try!
May we all benefit from the spirit of fearless experimentation that defines Hensley’s approach to art and life. She embodies the values of an open mind, connecting with others through art and the simple yet profound message: Just try it!
To view Hensley’s work, visit her website, heidihensleyart.com or Instagram account @heidihensleyart.
The Wesleyan Artist Market
Date: April 25, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; April 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Wesleyan School, 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners
Admission and parking are free.
For more, visit artistmarket.wesleyanschool.org.
A version of this article is featured in the April/May issue of Southwest Gwinnett magazine. The other artist spotlight profiles can be found here and here.
