Meet Erin Ashley

Erin Ashley is a self-taught artist, who currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

Her paintings have been featured, and shown in many fine art galleries in the US and Europe.

To view more of Erin’s work please visit her website (www.erinashleyart.com) as well as her galleries at Imagekind.

Our Interview with Erin:

Q – Do you consider Art your career and how did it all start for you?

A – Yes, I consider art as my career. I think if you want to be a successful artist you have to make it your career. Painting and marketing is a full time job. Painting started for me about 3 years ago when I came across an old paintbrush and some of my kids paint. I remember painting a purple flower on some paper and found myself really intrigued. The next day, I bought myself some acrylic paints and a canvas – I could not stop painting! Seriously, I was hooked. I taught myself daily through art books and experimenting. I would paint canvas after canvas even spending 8 hours on a painting only to find myself painting over that same canvas because I did not like it the next day. I was hooked and still am. Every painting that I do, I say to myself I know I can do better on the next one and I think in a way, that’s what makes it exciting- a challenge.

Q – How would you describe your work? Do you focus on a particular genre? If so why?

A – I would describe my work as contemporary, decorative abstract. I tend to focus on textural abstract to painting women and figures.

Q – Why did you join the ART for Cancer Group? What is the significance of this group to you?

A – I joined this group because it’s doing two things I love at the same time- art and helping another. I feel strongly that each of us are here on this earth to help each other. No one should have to suffer from cancer and illness. It is our job as humans to try and make a change for the better. What a brilliant idea – Art for Cancer. The world can be reached through images of beauty while saving a heart of another.

Q – Why do you create art? What inspires you/where do you get your inspiration from?

A – I create art because it’s who I am, without it I am lost. Creating centers me. With two small children I need a time just for me to let it all out and let my creativeness flow. Inspiration comes to me in many forms. I get inspired a lot be old weathered distressed things like paint peeling away from an old door or rusty pipes. I remember driving down the freeway once and there was a huge dump truck in front of me. The colors on this truck were so beautiful the way the paint was worn unveiling theses amazing colors from beneath. I was happy that I had my camera with me but would not recommend trying to steer and shoot a picture at the same time, very tricky but at least I got my shot.

Q – What are the most important tools you use in your work? What is your workspace like?

A – My most important tools are my squeegees and my box of rags I so often need- I am a very messy painter. I have managed to get touches of paint in about every room of my house. I get so into my art that I don’t care about where the paint is landing. My work space is in my home, not a huge space but it’s all mine. One thing I love about it is that I have two doors in my space that lead out to the patio where I also paint at times. I have an inspiration board that hangs in front of me with clippings of colors that I like and photos I have taken. I also have a row of shelves filled with supplies. It’s truly a mess but I love it.

Q – What is an interesting fact about yourself that not too many people know?

A – I had to think about this question. I have a long list of these but I will give you a fun one. I once toured with the rock band BonJovi. I flew with them in their private plane all through Europe one summer. One of the members was an old boy friend..