Friday Feature: Ashley Longshore

"Box of Blue Birds" 48" x 72" by Ashley Longshore

I came across Ashley's work via facebook.   Her art is just so much fun I had to find out more about her.  She's as original as her work.   There is so much joy and fearlessness and reckless abandon that just exudes from her work.  I'm drawn to her work and evidently I'm not the only one she has created work for Eli manning, Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, and Blake Lively.  She also partnered with Anthropolgie where her works have been used on home items.  She creates amazing furniture as well.  Her work was recently seen in Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1.  This lady has it all and I'm so glad to feature her today.

To see more of her work check out her website/ blog and facebook page

How did you get your start? What’s your artist journey so far?

Ive always been a wild theatrical spirit. I harnessed this energy into painting when I was 18.

Where were you born? 

I was born in pensacola florida. Grew up in Montgomery AL. I had a lot of sassiness for a small southern town.

If you could live anywhere where would you live? 

I live where I want to right now. New Orleans is a great affordable place to be an artist. ( now dont think I wont be raising hell about how hot it gets in the summer. It is like living in hell) I travel two weeks out of every month. I am in NYC for about a week of every month and then I go on some little excursion in addition to that, either for work or inspiration. Or I am on inspiration trip for 4 to 5 weeks and then I am back here. I would hope that EVERYBODY would live where they want to! Life is too short to live somewhere you hate.

"Trophy Wife Recession" 48" x 48"by Ashely Longshore

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

I love painting conversation pieces. I love things that make me laugh. I will get an idea and then giggle like a nerd the whole time I am at my easel. Then I LOVE to paint my Audrey series. She is so beautiful. It makes me happy to play with color and different hat ideas.
Could you talk about your painting techniques? I use acrylic, mixed media glitter and I finish everything with thick coats of resin. I LOVE SPARKLE AND SHINE! I always see an idea very clearly in my mind and then I start to paint. I never start not knowing what to do.

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

I LOVE RED! I don’t use it enough. I am also very into pinks. and gobs of GLITTER THAT SAME COLOR! I love oranges and chartreuse. This morning I am painting something with a curry and lavender color! I CANT WAIT! ( I am getting very excited to get to my studio this morning..can you tell?)

"Madonna With Nuts On Her Chin" 24" x 24" by Ashely Longshore

Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?

 I have so many favorite artists. I LOVE Alice Neel. I LOVE Vanessa Beecroft. I LOVE Anh Duong. I LOVE Elizabeth Peyton. I LOVE photographers Terry richardson, Mario Testiono, David LaChapelle and Helmut Newton. I have a friend who paints for Jeff Koontz and I went in his studio and became obsessed. I love that artists can be very successful and ALIVE today! the web and social media have created a whole new world for the artist community. My biggest inspiration has been anyone who does what they love and gets paid for it. Everyday is a gift. Every moment in my studio is true bliss. Life is amazing and I am living it!

"New York Whisper" by Ashley Longshore

What have been some of your crowning achievements? 

Selling to movie stars, designing for a big corporation, not giving up 50%, traveling all over the world and painting different collections, really just having the freedom to travel and play all over the world and do exactly what I love. LIFE IS GOOD! I feel so “artgasmic” to be an artist!

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:) 

All I do is dream big..... Painting a cool skin for a corporate private jet ( prefferably veuve clicquot). Id like to do the same for a yacht, collaborate with Louis Vuitton, do all the artwork for an entire movie, direct a full length art film.

Recently you've been on the cover of some publications, how did that come about?

I got on the cover of two publications by making my presence known. working hard for opportunities, utilizing social media, having shows all over the world, meeting new people every day. Ive been in this business for 19 years. I am 37 now. Ive been doing this since I was 18. It about damn time dont you think! hahahahaha! and honestly...I am just getting started!

What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

REPRESENT YOURSELF! DO NOT GIVE UP 50%!!!!!! No one knows more about the art than the artist and people would rather buy directly from the artist. Most people do not know that galleries take 50% from the artist! also....use your social media! Have a good website!!! And HUSTLE! My father always said “ He who toots his own horn, controls the volume”. He is right! the world is small if you get out there and MARKET, SELL and MEET PEOPLE!

"A Moment Between Moments" 48" x 72"

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist? 

hmm. this is tough because I have done things my own way. best advice............. hmmmmmmm.......
 ( tick tock) ......I guess its my own advice: There a lot of different ways to make it in the world as an artist. It doesn’t have to be through galleries and museums in the beginning.....everyone needs art. this job is about relentless hard work and constantly pushing your internal limits and listening to the inner voice. hardwork always pays off. stay true to your own style but MAKE IT HAPPEN! Get the YES! Close the DEAL!

"Gold Jumping Goldfish Bowl" 48" x 48"

SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? BOTH!

Your dream vacation spot? hmmm. I spend a lot of time traveling and going where my curiosity takes me. My next big inspiration trip will be Australia.

Book or movie? Movie FOR SURE!

Favorite author? I love the OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemmingway.

Favorite movie? Jesus..this is hard...I love Life of Pi right now. I also really love Wes Anderson....I am also obsessed with Documentary films

Romance or comedy? how about a comedic romance?

Favorite dessert? Salted caramel gelato.( this is why my thighs touch)

Night owl or morning person? morning person. I go hard all day and then crash at night..unless I am going out and then it is a tsunami of wildness.

Ashley's work in Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1

Thank you Ashley, can't wait to see what you're up to next:)

Carrie