Inspiring Art Fans Through a Hands-On Approach

By Lynne Schur

It's a beautiful afternoon in Columbus, Georgia — when the light is exactly right and everything has a golden tint. It’s the kind of day that motivates one to stroll Uptown Columbus and explore the Highside Market complex. This mixed-use dining and shopping hotspot blends new construction and adaptive reuse of historical buildings — a perfect place for fine artist Teil Henley to set up shop.

Born and raised in Columbus, Henley — who’s the wife of pro-golfer and five-time PGA Tour winner Russell Henley — has become a fixture in the local arts and culture community. And now her store, Mish Mash, cements her role as an influencer and art advocate.

Here’s more on Henley’s evolution as an artist, and as an entrepreneur.

One Way to Figure Out Your Aesthetic

Henley’s painting style came together for her as an art major at Auburn. “In college they put the pressure on to know why you're painting and what you're painting,” says Henley. But that felt very structured to her.

"Sometimes you need to give yourself some time to just mess up and experiment,” she says.

This happened to Henley in an unexpected way. She adds: “I was talking with my grandmother and she suggested, ‘Why don't you come up to my country place on the weekends, bring all your art supplies and start making a collection of paintings. Then I'll invite all my friends over and have an art show for you at my house.’”

Henley spent every weekend of that semester painting at her grandmother's country home. As promised, she had a show at the beginning of the summer — and it sold out. “That’s when I thought, ‘Wow, this is a possibility,’" says Henley.

Defining Style and Substance

Henley says the inspiration for her distinctive contemporary style and vibrant palette comes from three important things: family, faith and exploring themes of light and movement. Her playful but sophisticated aesthetic stirs emotions, tells stories and continually inspires audiences.

“Certain times of the year I'm so inspired, especially when the sun is moving and the light is different,” says Henley. “Right now, I'm painting landscapes, and I might be in the middle of a conversation with somebody and suddenly distracted by the way the light is hitting a tree. The inspiration is so much that I sometimes just want to turn it off. But if the right light hits a subject, what a fun object to paint with its distinctive highlights and shadows. It's well worth it.”

Henley's art style is duly represented in a recent collection, "Spring by the Sea," which highlights her unique approach to subjects. Whether they're beach goers, hydrangeas, summer cottages, or sunbathers, the paintings can speak to people on a personal level.

Giving Her the Right Showcase

Ironically, out of all the beautiful, creative expressions of Henley's artwork, opening a simple storefront may be her most inspirational work. In 2024, after a decade of operating online — she opened her first brick-and-mortar shop called Mish Mash along with artist-friend Lulie Wallace.

“Don’t get me wrong, online is great because everybody has access to the website. But a store adds an element of legitimacy,” says Henley. “It's almost unfair whenever someone asks, ‘Is there a place I can come see your work?’ And I’d say, ‘Well, no, there's not.’ It’s disappointing. The shop adds more energy and excitement to the brand."

The business duo didn't necessarily want a typical retail outlet, but more of a show space. "We thought it would be nice for the town to have a place where people can come and see, touch and feel the work," says Henley. "Primarily, we were talking about textiles and having a place to serve as a showroom for designers or for people that want to buy fabric and wallpaper."

That interplay was key — a forum where a customer could visit, and they could chat and hear their feedback on products and designs.

Then Mish Mash morphed into its current iteration: one-third painting studio, one-third retail shop and one-third packaging, shipping and fulfillment center. Henley says with the two continually making products, the inventory is always evolving.

That's how Henley's latest aspect of her business, Teil Textiles and Wallpaper, is finally coming to life. Designers, consumers and collectors can access her work — in person — across multiple mediums, like canvas, textiles, wallpaper, prints and lifestyle products.

Also, Mish Mash simply keeps Henley on track and motivated to make new products, with one eye on filling up the shop.

Fast Forward Five Years

Since Henley just launched the textile and wallpaper line, she would love to see that grow — especially because it's an evolution and totally different field than studio art.

But more so, Henley wants to be known for creating good, quality work and giving back to her community. But there's also one more thing she'd like to mention: putting her family first.

“I’ve talked to other artists about the work-life/mom-life balance," says Henley, who has three children with husband Russell. "The great thing about art is that you can put it down when you need to and pick it back up. Having that freedom and flexibility makes me feel like I could do it forever. Because I know I can always have fun, and I can be with my kids.”

It seems that seeing the light may not just be for the canvas. 

Lynne Schur is a freelance writer who has written extensively about finance and business.

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