Alright, so I'm in a really busy period of my life at the moment. My husband and I are getting ready to move across town which is a ton of work on its own so of course work is busy for both of us too! Isn't that the way it goes? When it rains it pours. lol
Fortunately, this move has been a long time coming, so we've actually been working on it for weeks now... making the process a little more tolerable. But this post is not about that move...
I want to tell you about the wonderful Art Festival we are putting together.. "We" being a few of the artists who have art at the shop El Paso's Finest in downtown EP who are working on the majority of organizing the event. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful people and businesses also helping to bring this to fruition outside our team of 6.
Only two weeks from now, we will be having our inaugural El Paso's Finest Art Festival. It will be at the historic La Hacienda Restaurant at 1720 West Paisano on May 4th from 12-9 pm. I hope that if you are in EP, you will try to make it out to this special event. We've partnered with the nonprofit organization, Abara to bring you a day full of community unity through art, handmade goods, music, poetry, food, and drink.
It has been a true labor of love to get this ready for the public. It is free to attend so you can spend your clams on food, drinks, and supporting local arts. A silent auction is also planned with the proceeds benefiting Abara. Learn more about the organization at Abara.org.
That's all for now. I hope to see you there! Please share!
Alice in Wonderland Coloring Party!
April 9
I use google photos and it shows me highlights from the past. When this came up as a memory I just knew I had to share it with you. I don't know why I hadn't already!
Way back last April (which feels like it was about 8 years ago now) fellow artist, Vanessa Clark, and I hosted a fun coloring party to promote the coloring book we collaborated on. Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favorite stories and I met Vanessa because we both participated in an AIW themed art show and even worked on a mural together. We became really good friends it led to the coloring book, which I am still very proud of.
The venue was The Madd Hatter Pub on North Mesa. It was absolutely perfect! We had games, coloring, drinks, eats, a costume contest, and even a mini market with some amazing El Paso artists vending. We gave out a bunch of fun and unique prizes. It was so much fun and I'd love to organize another event like this in the future.
A the moment I am helping to organize a big Art Festival and it is so much work but sooo worth it. I'll share more deets on that with you soon.
Ciao for now.
💜Ash
Classes, anyone?
March 20
Hello sunshine!
What's been going on in your neck of the woods?
I've been busy helping to put together an art festival with a non-profit and continuing the usual art classes, art shows, and illustration work.
Looking for some new locations to hold Paint With Ash classes around El Paso... but I'm curious if any of you are interested in these paint along classes virtually? I have taught a couple of live classes through zoom but I would love to record some and have them available on my website for a smaller fee than attending in person.
Please share your thoughts!
Here's an old one that I filmed a few years ago. I was thinking of doing something along these lines again but longer, real time.
https://youtu.be/UdoVjdrmhDs?si=k_sRXaqlXXuczYMw
Ciao for now.
Must go paint!
💜 Ash
Happy New Year!
I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season to end your 2023. I did and I am super grateful for all that 2023 brought.
For 2024, I have some big creative goals.. and maybe more than I should actually. I tend to put too much on my plate and not narrow my focus enough so I won't get into all of those goals just now. I will say though, that this year, I plan to focus on illustration projects more than fine art and gallery showings. Of course, I will still paint and take commissions but I will definitely do a little less in that area for now.
I will also be teaching more. I already have guided painting classes every month and that will continue. However I plan on doing some workshops and offer some online courses as well. If you're interested in that, stay tuned or even drop me a line. I'd love to hear what you'd like to see or learn more specifically.
Well that's all for now, my friends. I wish you a year full of joy and creativity!
💜 Ash
Hey y'all. I hope you're having a fantastic week gearing up for Thanksgiving. All is well in my little neck of the woods (or rather, dessert).
Business has been a little slower than usual so I've been planning and working on some El Paso and Texas-centric art and merchandise for my shop and some local shops.
Here's my newest. This sticker is for the proud El Pasoans who like a little cuteness! Amigo Man is the El Paso mascot born in 1976 and has been an icon at EP gatherings since!
I'll share more as I go and if course I'm always open to suggestions.
But most importantly, thank you for being here! I wish you lots of happiness and love this Thanksgiving and always!
💜Ash
I’m so excited!
Tomorrow is the opening to an art exhibit I’ve put together with 2 other El Paso artists at the Through the Looking Glass Gallery! I am very honored to show along side such wonderfully skilled artists, Vanessa Clark and Luis Marin. (click on them to go to their Instagram pages.) For the last 3 weeks or so, we have been working hard to finish up new artworks and getting prepared for this show.
If you’re reading this mid April 2022, I hope you can make it! Opening night will be very special with live music, fresh baked goods and other refreshments, all the artists in attendance, and a beautiful art exhibit. If you can’t make to the opening on Friday, there will be a few more dates that the gallery will be open for viewing as well.
If you’re able to attend, make sure to say hi!
Oh my goodness! It’s coming, ya’ll! An art exhibit dedicated to my favorite childhood story! Not only am I displaying some pieces but I was chosen as one of the select few to work on a mural in the gallery as well!
I’m thrilled and wanted to share with you a photo of one of the works in progress. You’ll have to either attend the show or wait for me to post later to see the finished pieces.
The show opens Feb. 18th at the Through the Looking Glass Gallery and it will run through the 26th. I hope if you live in the Greater El Paso area, that you’re able to check it out. It should be wonderful!
This is a Patreon only post. To join please click here.
This is a Patreon only post. To join please click here.
Growing up, I always thought butterflies while beautiful creatures, were such a cliche girlie thing to like. So I resisted. Fast forward to adulthood and I’m in love with these creatures. Their transformation and beauty in either state is fascinating.
Here in El Paso, we’ve had more rain than usual and there are an abundance of butterflies around. It feels quite magical to me. So I thought I’d share some art selections that include these cute little critters.
This first one was very personal for me. It was the first painting that I completed after losing my mother unexpectedly. It’s called Metamorphosis because if we can release our fragile hearts, growing, changing, and flourishing is possible. I talk more about this topic in this Youtube video here.
What animals or symbols have helped you heal?
Metamorphosis, Acrylic on Canvas Panel, 18 x 24 inches
Butterflies High, Digital Illustration.
Purchase Prints here.
This is a Patreon only post. To join please click here.
I haven’t been drawing much lately. I’ve been preoccupied with daily life things and my new leather craft hobby. Anyone who knows me knows that I am planner/stationary obsessed and I have now been making travelers journals with leather.. more on that in another post.
All that to say that I drew a thing. I have a Pinterest board of faces that I am drawn to and would like to draw at some point. I’ve always wanted to do the #MedsHeadsChallenge but I find some challenges hard to complete due to my lifestyle and probably a little ADD.
So here’s the drawing I did today.
And here is the inspirational reference.
At first I set out to have a likeness but I often will stop looking at a reference once I have the basic pose down and well yeah, that’s what happened. So she didn’t end up looking much like the reference.
Even so, I kinda like it. It’s a little androgynous and I’ve been trying to draw unique and believable faces.
That’s all for today. Ciao.
____
This was done with Procreate on my iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.
