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Cannabis Leads to Creativity for Henley Beall

Henley Beall is making her talents known around Maryland one artistic creation at a time.

Born and raised in Annapolis, the 23-year-old has served as a graphic designer and sales rep for Cannaline Custom Cannabis Packaging in Columbia for the past two years. 

“It switches depending on the day; I’m half design and half sales,” said Henley, whose name originates from England, meaning ‘high meadow.’ “They’ve helped me learn a lot and advance my digital work. We’ve collaborated to put my artwork on their ounce jars.”

In her free time, she creates paintings, public murals and private commissions.

Henley is learning on the fly though, having just a semester of college under her belt – a six-month experience she found regrettable. She relies much on the foundational teachings that were instilled during her childhood by her Aunt Joyce.

“[Joyce] was an artist,” said Henley of her late aunt. “She was the main reason I got so interested in drawing. My earliest memories consist of watching her draw a butterfly and paint murals in our rooms. She’d teach me how to paint different animals and plants. She’d paint whatever my siblings and I would ask for.”

Joyce’s talents inspired Henley to join an arts program in middle school, bringing forth a multitude of techniques in fine arts and digital programs she uses to this day. Her artwork took a hiatus in high school as she dove into the world of competitive lacrosse. But by graduation, experimentation with Cannabis pulled her back to her roots and expanded her practice.

“Cannabis always helps with creativity,” she said, adding a preference of caryophyllene-led sativas. “It helps with blocks. I’ll hit the bong to start the day and go to work. Then I’ll come home and do it again to help me get back into the art flow.”

Anxiety was her initial reason for acquiring a medical Cannabis card. Henley’s creative mind sometimes has a hard time slowing down.

“It’s a major relief,” she said. “I also have trouble sleeping. Cannabis and CBD really make a difference. I like to combine them when I‘m feeling really anxious. It helps calm me down right away.” 

A scattered brain often leads to Henley working on multiple art projects at a time. To overcome creative blocks, she microdoses psychedelic mushrooms – fostering ideas at a fastidious rate. 

“I find it helps me finish pieces faster and helps me with a flow,” she said. “Smoking Cannabis can be the same. Sometimes I just see what I want to paint in my head more accurately.”

maryland patient
Photo by Greg Malcolm

With nearly three years in the Cannabis industry, Henley is hoping to grow her presence and continue to improve upon her talents. 

“I’d love to be a freelance artist,” she said. “I’m still working on how to do that.”

Painting or any form of physical art is preferred, as it comes natural to Henley. 

“I love the Cannabis industry, so I’d love to gear my work towards that,” she said.

henleybeall.com | @henleybeall

This article was originally published in the April 2022 issue of Maryland Leaf.

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