Ashley is a self-taught, botanically focused watercolor artist, working out of her private home studio. Drawing inspiration from nature, she often paints works that are both botanical and anatomical in nature, blending the two into curious ethereal creations.With a deep fascination of nature, microbiology, and anatomy, her work often incorporates these themes. She loves visiting botanical gardens and nurseries in her spare time and dreams of the day she'll have a greenhouse of her own to fill with exotic plants. Raised in a creative home, her artistry includes ceramics, woodworking, painting, sculpting, and even printmaking. Ashley is inspired by plant life, wild gardens, and interesting homes and people. She finds further inspiration in books on Botany, and Anatomy in local bookstores. Ashley is a proud mother of two, and a military child and spouse, and turned to watercolors as an outlet during a military move, opting to paint photos of her children for their new home. She hopes that sharing her work with others will create in them a sense of wonder and respect for nature, and all it has to offer if we care for it.
My artistic influences growing up were varied, I have always been drawn to the works of Georgia O' Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Claude Monet for their tremendous and unapologetic use of color. These days, I find much inspiration in classical homes, books on botany, and from life. Visiting botanical gardens, nurseries and gardens in my city keeps me inspired.
Where do you find inspiration for your art?
I find inspiration for my art lately in textiles believe it or not, and in the lush gardens I mentioned above. Visiting new places, book shops, or going on afternoon walks helps keep me curious, and compels me to create.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Art does help me in other areas of my life. Creating art can be unimaginably healing, and I believe some things can only really be said through art. As a military child, I often turned to art to express myself. It felt like art was the one thing that had not changed in my world, serving as an old friend I could revisit as often as I liked.
Tell us about your artistic journey to become an artist
My parents supported my artistic chaos as I like to call it, from the start. Never denying me canvas, paper, paint or supplies. Often sacrificing full walls in our home (or even from time, a piece of furniture or two) to my cause. My mother, an artist herself in many ways, really did encourage me to create. Always hanging new works, and showing them off to friends with pride. My art journey began and was nourished at home, I always created there first
What is your favorite piece you've ever created, and why?
I don't know if I can pinpoint a favorite piece I've ever created, most meaningful perhaps would be Taro Heart, created to express a profound respect for the people of Hawai'i. In phases of my life, specific works have become meaningful, or favorites. This changes as I feel my skills improve or decline. My work shifts and something else becomes the new favorite, and I'm often left feeling like my favorite piece is one I have just completed and feel proud enough to share.
How do you define success as an artist?
Defining success as an artist is so personal. I have goals for myself which I have still not achieved, and many I have blown past with ease. Success for me feels like supporting myself as an independent Artist. It feels like completing future dream projects, not necessarily about followers or likes these days. Success for me feels like a day spent in the studio, creating work I wish existed in the world, even if I am the only one to see it. Success feels like a finish line that I perpetually move ahead of my feet.
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