From Interior Design to Painting: Heidi-Lee Peach's Art Journey

Heidi-Lee Peach’s journey in the arts began early in life. Inspired by her father, who often painted en plein air and completed commissioned works in his home studio, she found joy in creating from a young age. In elementary school, her principal framed a Van Gogh portrait she made, sparking a deeper passion for art.

She pursued this passion academically, earning a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Though she worked for 15 years as a professional interior architect and designer, her artistic drive remained strong. Her background in design informs her use of color and composition, helping her create paintings that harmonize beautifully with any palette.

Heidi-Lee works primarily in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, charcoal, pen and ink, and oil—typically focusing on one medium at a time. While generally a realistic painter, she often pushes colors to evoke mood, sometimes using monochromatic schemes for dramatic effect, especially in nocturnal scenes. Her plein air work reflects her love of being outdoors, capturing the richness of colors and the way light dances on the landscape.

Her new series of works will be focused on coastal-water scenes. These paintings will be inspired by journeys from Hawaii, to Seattle, California, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean islands, and European cities on the water. Her works will be bright, aiming to express how she feels when she is around water.

She is super excited for this new journey. Heidi-Lee will continue to own Heart2Hands Art Gallery as her studio space and plans to travel between the Wilmington and Raleigh areas throughout 2026. She was recently selected to be part of No Boundaries Residency in Bald Head Island for two weeks in January. She and her husband look forward to becoming full time Wilmingtonians when he retires.

Heidi-Lee has been an active participant in plein air events such as the Azalea Home and Garden Tour and the Wrightsville Harbor Way Gardens since 2020, and she looks forward to creating new works for these and other upcoming events, including Southport’s plein air event in May. Painting outdoors keeps her grounded and connected—to nature, to her creativity, and to the community of fellow artists and viewers.

She is involved with several art organizations including the North Carolina Watercolor Society and local art leagues in Wilmington, Leland, and Cary, while maintaining longtime ties to the Clayton art community. Heidi-Lee continues to grow her skills by attending workshops and experimenting with abstract techniques and new mediums.

Her work can be found in galleries throughout central and eastern North Carolina, including a permanent collection at Skylines Café in Clayton. She is also excited to have her own artist wall with Fine Art Local in Wilmington, where she will showcase her newest pieces in her favorite area.

Looking ahead, Heidi-Lee will hold a duo exhibition at the Clayton Center this fall, presenting vibrant large-scale paintings inspired by her coastal travels. Through her art, gallery, and community involvement, Heidi-Lee Peach remains dedicated to creating joy, healing, and connection—always driven by her love of color, light, and the landscapes that inspire her.

Heidi-Lee Peach is currently showing with Fine Art Local, a gallery in downtown Wilmington. To see more of her work, visit fineartlocal.com and heart2hands.art.