This January I had a visit from Claire of Centered by Design. Claire is an interior designer, yogi, and blogger who showcases lady bosses in her "Women who Make" series. Claire and Erin of Francois et Moi (who introduced us and took all the lovely pictures) spent the late morning with me chatting all things interior design and art. This year I am trying to work with more interior designers to help decorate their client's home (my art works well with kid and baby rooms and anyone not afraid of a little color). Claire and Erin gave me so much helpful advice for mixing into that industry. Thanks ladies! Below is the full interview and I had to share some additional pics Erin captured because it's always a treat to have someone else taking the photos in my space with a real life big-girl camera.
Astropad
A few months ago I was invited by Astropad to test our their latest software, "Astropad Studio". Basically what this program does is allows you to use your ipad as a drawing tablet (and the apple pen as your tool) and stay within Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator. So when I'm illustrating in Photoshop, I can work directly on my ipad and all my work will show up on my desktop. I can also work off-line, meaning whatever I make on the ipad, will save to work on later from my desktop. Before using Astropad, I used a Wacom tablet and have trained myself to look up at my screen while illustrating. It was amazing to be able to look down at my work with Astropad, I was able to be more detailed, more efficient, and also not have to lug around my giant wacom was amazing. . I highly recommend if you're an illustrator looking for a digital platform to work on seamlessly.
Banana Pants with Kelsey Lee
This is just a small collection of images from my first time shooting with local MPLS photographer, Kelsey Lee at my studio in Northrup King Building. Kelsey and I had only met once before this shoot and you wouldn't have known it by how comfortable she left me feeling. She was a sweet as they come and up for anything. I was in the mood to play with color (because when in Rome) so naturally I busted out my banana pants. Grateful for some of these candid moments she caught of me working (and the not-so-candid pics were just as fun).
"Hustle"
Recently I was interview by Team Open Book on the topic of "Hustle". I put that in quotes because I think I'm supposed to? (grammar nerds I need you!) but also because sometimes you put words you feel uncomfortable saying or cliches in quotes too. And that's about how I feel about the word. It's one that is deeply relevant to my work realities but also one I slightly cringe to use because it's been over-saturated in social media along with "squad" and "goals". Though if you're in a team sport, I hope you have both. But if defined as "busy movement and activity" then I would say hustling is my spirital gift. The interview is short and sweet and lives right here. Photos captured by the talented miss Alex Ry.
Ashley Mary Phone Cases X Target
This fall (2o16) in working with Design Loop I launched a series of 8 phone case designs in Target stores nationwide and online. My assignment was to create a variety of cases that were inspired by novelty, fun phrases, and of course, my art! The colors and patterns inspired me to go extra bold and graphic for a photoshoot. I asked the lovely Megan Gonzalez of Mae Mae Co to come alongside and co-style all the product and my talented friend Lauren Krysti to shoot it all. One of my favorites parts of this series was bringing my paintings into a surface design, I loved seeing the translation from paper to plastic. I also design the packaging for the phone cases using elements of my favorite brush strokes, polka dots, and stripes which turned out super playful and really popped on shelves.
Apartment Therapy
This summer I got the craving to shoot my cute little apartment (and by little I mean 650sq.ft). This apartment played a special role in that season of my life. Time spent in this space was precious and consequently an environment I rediscovered myself in. And so I wanted to mark it somehow, remembering each little corner and detail that I had spent time making feel like "me". That spring I had met photographer Sarah Hrudka while she was shooting at Golden Rule. We ended up in a short convo that turned into me falling for her hard. A few months after meeting I emailed her, my gut telling me she was the one to shoot this space with, her energy is electrical and sweet and cozy. I submitted the photos to Apartment Therapy's House Call article that eventually turned into a full tour write-up. And because she took so many goodies, here are some extras from our time together. People, follow this lady's work. She is good for the soul.
Ashley Mary Cosmetic Bags X Target
In the fall of 2015 I got to launch a line of 15 cosmetic bags in Target stores nationwide and online. Using four different watercolor paintings I had done, I brought the work into the computer and created my set of patterns. The experience was a first for me in the world of surface pattern design and I've been hooked ever since. While I learned a ton, made plenty-o-mistakes along the way (production is NOT my forte), my experience was positive in that I walked away with a new set of understanding for the process and some pretty sweet little cases to share with the world. Friend and talented photographer Lauren Krysti helped me capture a few shots i styled of my tools, swatches, and final product.
