About Ashley
Ashley began pursuing her dream to be an artist at a very young age. Growing up in the Northwest rural city of Alva, Oklahoma, her parents saw the artistic potential and did everything to encourage her desire. She was constantly supplied with art materials, overseas travel experience, and opportunities to create art. “If it wasn’t for family and support from community, I would have never gained the confidence needed to pursue a career in art,” Ashley stated.
She began entering art shows in high school and quickly found herself winning top awards in many shows she entered. This recognition began to fuel her drive to create art. Throughout high school, she ran her own business of teaching art lessons after school. This experience confirmed her desire to teach art and pursue her dream of studying art. She graduated from The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Education.
Her passion for art continued throughout college and was often exhilarated by opportunities to visit art museums around the country. Many of her latest works have Native American influence. Her husband’s Chickasaw culture, father-in-law’s teepee, and the American bison, have recently served as her most dominant subjects. Although portraits and the figure are among her favorite, the Southeast Oklahoma landscape has inspired her to begin plein air painting. Being outside painting, often with other artists, has really had a positive influence on her studio work.
Most recently, she had the opportunity to meet and visit with famous western artist, Howard Terpning. Getting the opportunity to meet with many successful western artists around the country and having a close friendship with local artists, has been the driving force behind keeping her art career moving. “I simply enjoy painting beautiful objects and spaces just as I see them.”
When she's not teaching visual art, Ashley manages to balance an art career with raising three children with her husband Mart. When asked how she manages to balance a family and art career, she said, “Creating is a priority in my life and I just make it happen. I just have to take advantage of any time I get to put in the work.”
She began entering art shows in high school and quickly found herself winning top awards in many shows she entered. This recognition began to fuel her drive to create art. Throughout high school, she ran her own business of teaching art lessons after school. This experience confirmed her desire to teach art and pursue her dream of studying art. She graduated from The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Education.
Her passion for art continued throughout college and was often exhilarated by opportunities to visit art museums around the country. Many of her latest works have Native American influence. Her husband’s Chickasaw culture, father-in-law’s teepee, and the American bison, have recently served as her most dominant subjects. Although portraits and the figure are among her favorite, the Southeast Oklahoma landscape has inspired her to begin plein air painting. Being outside painting, often with other artists, has really had a positive influence on her studio work.
Most recently, she had the opportunity to meet and visit with famous western artist, Howard Terpning. Getting the opportunity to meet with many successful western artists around the country and having a close friendship with local artists, has been the driving force behind keeping her art career moving. “I simply enjoy painting beautiful objects and spaces just as I see them.”
When she's not teaching visual art, Ashley manages to balance an art career with raising three children with her husband Mart. When asked how she manages to balance a family and art career, she said, “Creating is a priority in my life and I just make it happen. I just have to take advantage of any time I get to put in the work.”
