For one woman in Norton Commons, her passion can be found within the walls of her
home, but also inside art galleries, at festivals, and even at Louisville City Hall.
Sheila Wachsman, a retired attorney, started painting thanks to a friend she met after her family moved to Florida in 2004. Sheila went back to college late in life, got a B.A. in Political Science from Ohio University in 1984 and then a law degree from U of L Law School in 1987, along with passing the Kentucky bar exam in 1987 after graduation. Since 2004, thanks to this friend, Debbie Weant, she's loved creating art ever since.

Debbie Weant owned Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery in Santa Rosa Beach and encouraged her to pursue this passion. Weant owned an art gallery where Wachsman had a booth in her
Gallery for five years, until Weant sold it and Wachsman decided to leave.

After her art journey kicked off, Wachsman also began to set up at art festivals, and just
five years after she started painting professionally, she was chosen as the artist for
2011 “Art in Public Places” at the Walton County Public Library in Florida.
Wachsman said pursuing her passion for painting empowers her to use the creative side
of her brain, which is both “fulfilling and therapeutic.”

That work has also led to her being featured in Louisville art galleries, including Kore
Gallery’s exhibit “Years of Chaos-Issues that are Destroying Us” in 2019.
For the past eight years, Wachsman and her husband have lived in Norton Commons,
and last year she was chosen as one of five artists for the 2022 “Art in City Hall” from
Louisville Metro Government. She said it was an honor to have one painting displayed in
City Hall for a year, and another in Louisville Metro Council President David James’
office. Her art was also sold in Amore by the Sea in Seaside’s Ruskin Place, which was a big step in legitimizing her art. Her art recognition doesn't end there, Wachsman was one of five finalists in the 2023 Old 502 Winery in Louisville to have their painting become the company's label on their new wine. 

She encourages others to follow their passions — which could also be creating art.
“So many people think they can’t draw or paint,” she said. “But you never know until you
try. Art is in the eye of the beholder. Never let someone else’s opinion impact your idea
of art.

“Art is joy. Our house in Norton Commons reflects that joy. Color can bring out the
happiness in life,” Wachsman said. Through her work, Wachsman has donated to several charities, including AMPED, Wellspring, and GPA Louisville.

Wachsman said she sells her work on her business (The Art of Imperfection) and
personal (Sheila Markowitz Wachsman) Facebook pages for those who are interested
in purchasing artwork. She can also be reached at swachsman8705@gmail.com.