About Me

“I’ve always been an artist…When I’m drawing a picture, I feel…quiet inside.”

– Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan

Hi! I’m Ashleigh. After being born in Seneca, SC, I began competitive gymnastics, eventually earning a scholarship to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. As a gymnast, using the human body as a means of creative expression and strength has always been a huge part of my identity. But it was a part I put aside after college in favor of a more “safe” life path and career choice. FYI…there is nothing safe about ignoring parts of who you are.

After majoring in Health Sciences/Pre-Med at James Madison University, I took my affinity for human anatomy and physiology and continued my education at The University of Maryland-Baltimore, receiving a Masters’ Degree in Pathology. I practiced as a Pathologists’ Assistant for over 10 years but I never felt I was living my authentic self. The irony of feeling like I was slowly dying while performing autopsies is not lost on me ;). Everyone has a pivotal life moment that shifts their perspective. Mine eventually came in the form of traumatic grief which pushed me to return to art and creativity as a means of healing and reconnecting with myself. Coming back to self expression through visual art feels like coming home to who I am.

I traded a scalpel for a palette knife. Art over autopsies. #aknifeinmyart

I’m so grateful for the journey and do not take for granted how my training in anatomy gives me a mental road map for the human form. I am able to see my subject from the inside out whether painting from models or my own imagination. Combining this learned ability with intuitive artistic expression, I portray emotion or tell a story through my art. My work can be described as “colorful” or “moody”, often exploring social injustices, inequality, spirituality, personal and collective growth, or common human experiences and emotions. I primarily use a palette knife for clean color, texture and a loose approach when painting. It essentially prevents me from slipping into my former profession and dissecting every detail as I’m inclined to do with a brush.
I’m so grateful for the journey and do not take for granted how my training in anatomy gives me a mental road map for the human form. I am able to see my subject from the inside out whether painting from models or my own imagination. Combining this learned ability with intuitive artistic expression, I portray emotion or tell a story through my art. My work can be described as “colorful” or “moody”, often exploring social injustices, inequality, spirituality, personal and collective growth, or common human experiences and emotions. I primarily use a palette knife for clean color, texture and a loose approach when painting. It essentially prevents me from slipping into my former profession and dissecting every detail as I’m inclined to do with a brush.
I’m inspired by my own vivid and colorful dreams, life experiences, surroundings and current events and I most often paint from life because I like the energy of the shared experience…I love being in a room full of artists where everyone is silently going about their work, each painting, sculpting or drawing the same subject but seeing it so differently from one another. When we take the time to really “see” a subject, we realize we are not separate and we learn to have compassion for others as well as ourselves. We connect. Art really does heal, which is reason enough to drop the scalpel and pick up the palette knife ;). So much of life as I currently know it is about learning to let go of what no longer serves and picking up what brings joy.

I do not have a fancy art degree but I do not consider myself to be “self taught”. Every person I encounter is a teacher and those lessons are reflected in my work. Although I take classes and workshops from many artists I admire near and far (Camille Prezwodek, Peggy Kroll, Mark Daniel Nelson, Marjorie Hicks and Nancy McCarthy to name a few), I consider my two children, Claire and Hugh, to be my greatest teachers and my also my greatest work.

I’m fortunate my figure work has caught the eye of an amazing local designer (Julie Couch of Julie Couch Interiors) and I also have work displayed at ArtBeat in the Gulch. Although my art focuses on the human figure, I’ve been described as a versatile artist. I also paint still life and landscapes and am a proud member of The Chestnut Group here in Nashville. Whether it be a charcoal drawing, oil painting, gauche study or ink sketch, I’m just thrilled my work connects with viewers. Beyond anything, I’m just so grateful to share my story, heal, and find community through art.

Evoke · Evolve · Expand

I look forward to creating with you!