We recently had the chance to connect with Nicholas Ashton and have shared our conversation below.
Nicholas, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yeah, I have. More than once, actually. I’ve always believed if you’re in a position to speak up for someone who doesn’t have a voice in the moment, you do it—no matter what it costs you. At work, I saw people being treated unfairly and I couldn’t just sit there and let it happen. I spoke up, and yeah, it came back on me. I lost things because of it—security, chances, comfort—but I kept my integrity. That’s worth more to me than playing along just to stay safe. My art reflects that same energy. Every piece I make has that mix of chaos, truth, and emotion. It’s all connected. I’d rather take the hit than live quiet about what’s wrong.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicholas G. Ashton, and I’m the artist behind FridgeArte. What started as a way to clear my head and make sense of things grew into a style that people began connecting with. My work is raw, layered, and emotional. I use whatever tools feel right in the moment—Q-tips, scrapers, anything that helps me pull something real out of the paint. Every piece comes from a place of chaos and reflection.
FridgeArte isn’t just a name—it’s a mindset. It’s about taking what’s messy or overlooked and turning it into something that speaks. My paintings have been shown internationally in Milan, Miami, Los Angeles, and even Times Square, and each experience keeps me pushing the boundaries of what this can become. Right now, I’m focused on expanding FridgeArte.Gallery into my own self-run platform where I can sell original work and limited merch directly, without middlemen. The goal is to keep it authentic, independent, and honest—just like the art itself.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the noise, I was just a kid who loved creating without overthinking it. I didn’t care about rules, careers, or expectations—I just wanted to make things that felt real. I’d take stuff apart, experiment with color, make a mess, and somehow find meaning in it. Life has a way of teaching you to play it safe and fit into a box, and for a while, I did. But deep down, that creative part of me never left—it just got quiet.
FridgeArte became my way of bringing that version of myself back. It’s me returning to that raw, fearless space where creation is honest and imperfect. It’s not about doing what I’m “supposed” to do—it’s about remembering who I was before anyone told me who to be.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell him he’s not broken—he’s just early. All the things that made him feel out of place are the same things that will make his work powerful later. I’d tell him to hold on to that fire, even when people don’t get it. The world will try to make you smaller, quieter, easier to understand, but that edge is what sets you apart.
Keep creating, even when no one’s watching. Keep feeling things deeply, even when it hurts. Every struggle, every question, every late night spent trying to make sense of it all will eventually turn into something meaningful. One day, the chaos you feel will become your art—and it’ll connect with people in ways you never imagined.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building FridgeArte into something real and lasting. It started as a way to cope with everything I was carrying—stress, loss, frustration—and it turned into a language of its own. Now it’s more than a project; it’s a lifelong commitment to honesty through art. I want FridgeArte to stand for something beyond paint—to show that expression and emotion still matter in a world that moves too fast.
I remember working on Portal to Subconscious, not even thinking about where it would go, just trying to get through what I was feeling. That piece ended up opening doors for me—international shows, gallery features, and connections I never expected. It reminded me that when something is made from truth, it finds its own way out there.
So, no matter how long it takes, I’ll keep building FridgeArte into a platform that inspires people to turn their chaos into something meaningful. I’m not chasing fame or trends—I’m chasing legacy.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yeah, I could—and I already have. Most of what I’ve built didn’t come with applause. There were no crowds watching, no recognition waiting at the end. It was me, late nights, paint everywhere, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. That’s when I realized the work has to matter to me first.
Art taught me that if you’re doing it for praise, you’ll burn out fast. But if you’re doing it because it’s who you are, then it doesn’t matter who’s watching. Some of my best pieces were made in silence, when I felt unseen. Those moments built my foundation. I don’t need validation to create—I need honesty. The reward is knowing I gave it everything, even if no one ever claps for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fridgearte.gallery
- Instagram: fridge.arte_nstuff
- Linkedin: Nicholas G. Ashton
- Twitter: @fridgearte
- Facebook: Fridge Art by Nicholas Ashton
