With the buildup to the Presidents Cup comes the wonderful activities and the pomp and show of the big tournament. These also involve families and partners of golfers. One such event was the gala held on Tuesday, another was the activity for wives to paint their husbands’ portraits.

For Teil Duncan Henley, wife of golfer Russell Henley, this activity was right up her alley. She painted a colorful and impressive portrait of her husband, leading fans to ask, “How is she so good at this?” In fact, Teil Duncan Henley is a fully trained fine arts professional—an artist, if you will.

Who is Teil Duncan Henley?

Russell Henley’s wife, Teil Duncan Henley, is a contemporary artist currently based in her birthplace, Columbus, Georgia. Born in 1988, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Auburn University in Alabama. After establishing her art studio in Charleston, South Carolina, she moved back to Georgia in 2019 with her husband, who is also from the state.

Reportedly, Teil Duncan Henley met Russell Henley at her sister’s wedding, as her sister married one of Russell’s childhood friends. After dating for a while, the couple got engaged in 2014 and tied the knot in 2015. They now live in Columbus, Georgia, with their three children: Robert Russell, Ruth Teil, and their recently born baby, Jane.

Speaking about her husband, Henley has said, “Something about Russ that may surprise people that don’t know him is, you see him on the golf course and he’s very focused and serious, but he really is an actual total goofball.” She has also spoken of how much she admires his golfing ability. Russell Henley is also very enamored with his wife’s artistry, praising her creativity and taking advice as he respects her opinion. He has said, “Her art has evolved and progressed. She’s not afraid to try new things.”

When the two of them met, she was an established and successful artist. But as she spent more time with him, she realized there were similarities between their jobs. One thing she took inspiration from her 4-time PGA Tour-winning husband is to not let your emotions drive you and to have a level of perseverance and drive.

Teil Duncan Henley has been in the art business for more than a decade and has expanded her work to include textiles, glasscloth wall coverings, and wallpapers. She also creates household items like lampshades, stationery, and cosmetic bags. According to her website, she “infuses abstract elements, pixelated compositions, and joyful color combinations no matter the subject.”

She is also an author and wrote an autobiographical book she named, ‘The Color Teil: Life, Works and Inspiration’. On her journey into the art world, she has said, “Growing up as a child, I’m interested in painting and drawing. Graduating from college and move one and all these doors started opening up. You’d think the art world is isolated to paint on canvas, but then you see so many different opportunities.”

She definitely aced the activity organized by the Presidents Cup for Team USA’s wives. While the other paintings were impressive, they couldn’t quite match hers in terms of technique. Teil Duncan Henley is certainly on a different level.

Teil Duncan Henley’s collaborations with brands and artists

Teil Duncan Henley is a very successful artist and has achieved recognition along with the likes of other Georgians such as Brock Davis and Stephen McMennamy. She has been a great addition to the Columbus art scene and carries the rich heritage of that region.

Some of Teil Duncan Henley’s notable achievements include collaborations with prominent artists and brands. For instance, in 2014, she partnered with designer Christian Siriano, who incorporated her artwork from the Beach and Figure series into his show. She also collaborated with Abercrombie and Fitch, designing t-shirts for the brand. A particularly significant accomplishment is her work with Wild Sam, a city field guide that selects one artist per city to illustrate the guide. For the Charleston edition, Duncan Henley was chosen to bring the city’s charm to life through her illustrations.