WINDER, Ga. — It all started with the window outside Rebecca Hemsley and Jaime Tryon's Winder art studio.
After the shooting at Apalachee High School that left four people dead, the artists and sisters-in-law decided to paint.
That's when Hemsley said she came up with the idea of a mural outside their shop window. She said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith inspired her, stating, "Love will prevail" during a press conference following the tragedy.
"I had been repeating that in my head, so I made a cassette tape," Hemsley said. "Love will prevail. Play it on repeat."
Their music of brush strokes on windowpanes still hasn't stopped. Hemsley and Tryon, who are known together as "The Heirloom Sisters," were soon asked to paint at the grill next store.
"And we said yes," Hemsley said.
They followed that with a trip to the hair salon. And most recently, the spray tan studio.
"I just feel like this is all of our emotions on display, and I thought that's what we're all about," Tryon said. "It just makes you feel not so alone."
Two more windows will soon join the four others. They plan to paint on any business that asks.
"Hearts are hurting, and love fills up a heart and makes everyone feel better," Hemsley said.
Tryon said that love is an action word. And here in Winder, the art says everything. Through art and love, this community will stand strong in the midst of tragedy -- showing their support for one another one brush stroke at a time.
