Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Moore.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Creativity and art have always been part of my life. From the age of five, I could be found doodling faces on my alphabet in kindergarten. I quickly gravitated toward all things creative. My love of art and passion for creativity led me to pursue a BIS degree in child and family studies, art, & sales at Weber State University.
My current work consists of abstract alcohol ink paintings that are inspired by the exploration of emotions, grief, and healing. On the more light-hearted side, I enjoy making illustrations, whimsical creations, and murals that invite children and adults to embrace a world of fantasy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anyone who has ever helped me pack up my house to move might think I own a craft store. I’ve dabbled in many mediums over the years. Sewing, crocheting, baking, painting, sculpting, illustrating, window displays, peg dolls, the list goes on and on. Art isn’t just a job or a hobby for me, it’s a form of therapy and survival.
Growing up, it was my escape and a way to express myself. In my adult years, it became much more. My husband was injured in a very serious accident almost five years into our marriage. I watched him fight for his life, scraping together little bits and pieces of himself through a traumatic brain injury. We both reexamined what labels we had been given over the years as he fought to return to himself again.
It’s hard to describe the journey and the pain that an experience like that shapes you into. It’s an abrupt severing of so many of the things you once felt defined you, to a bare and raw core of who you are.
Art played its role as scaffolding in holding me up and reminding me that there was solace in creativity. That pain and grief are deeply rooted in humanity, but so is joy, hope, and healing. Many people ask me how I go from abstract gallery work to illustrating dad jokes or painting brightly colored murals. The truth is, after so much darkness, I want to bring light into the world. I want people to smile and feel connected. To feel a moment of hope. The connecting thread in all of my work is typically bright colors and a bit of whimsy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Over the past five years, my art has taken me to new avenues. You can find my abstract paintings at local coffee shops in Ogden, my dad joke illustrations at Dreamscapes in SLC, and one of my murals on the building of an awesome donut shop at The Other Side Donuts.
This past winter, Park City selected two of my art installations to be displayed, celebrating Utah’s participation in the Olympic Games. This project, in particular, was quite special, as I had dreamed of having my art in Park City. These opportunities opened the way for me to explore large-scale art installations in the form of window displays.
Currently, I have two window displays that are up in Salt Lake City’s Gateway as part of their Art Shop Project. I often participate in the Gateways Third Friday Art Stroll, which takes place from 6-9 pm and runs through September. If you’d like to see my work or meet me in person, the art stroll is a great opportunity to do that. You’ll also be able to talk with local artists and purchase pieces directly from them.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
When I think about what I’ve learned over the years, it comes down to this:
Everyone has a story.
Art serves as a connecting point, allowing us to relate to one another. If we take the time to listen, seek to understand, try to connect, and recognize that we are all looking for: belonging, love, connection, and purpose, a whole world unfolds. Art happens to say all of that without words.
Pricing:
- If you are interested in collaborating with me on a project please reach out directly for pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleymooregallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artwithashley/
- Other: https://www.theothersidedonuts.com/ and https://atthegateway.com/gateway-art-district/art-shop/
