Welcome Ashley Smith, our Art of Bastrop featured artist for Fall!
Ashley is an artist, teacher, and owner of The Clever Tiger Gallery in Elgin. Learn more about her and her work!
How long have you been a Bastrop (County) based artist and how did you find your way here?
I have lived in Bastrop county for around 26 years and I first found myself here at the age of one when my family moved to Elgin from Round Rock. I have moved several times but always find my way back.
When did you realize that you were an artist?
I just decided to label myself as an artist as a child and it helped keep me motivated to become one professionally.
Can you speak to your art training?
I am a mostly self-taught artist and only had one art class before college. Being from a rural community and attending a private school with no electives made it difficult to receive formal training early on. I relied on research and practice and later took college courses in ceramics and life drawing. I am a certified K-12 art teacher and now teach at a public elementary school.
Where do you find inspiration?
My children are my biggest inspiration and constantly push me to do better and reach more difficult goals.
What is your work concerned with?
Most of my work focuses on portraits in various mediums that highlight some aspect of the individual’s personality. I attempt to capture emotion and in eyes and feeling through color, or the lack of it.
What is your preferred medium(s)?
I prefer acrylic and oil painting but also work in sculpture, fabric, watercolor, graphite, etc.
Can you talk a little about your creative processes?
My creative process begins with studying. For a portrait, I will study the person’s life and personality traits which will then naturally lead to design. Often, take paint straight to the canvas without sketching and rely on intuition to capture the correct imagery.
Do you have any feelings towards digital versus traditional mediums?
I believe that they both have a place in the art world and should not be viewed as better/worse than each other.
Who are some artists that you look to
I study a variety of visual artists but mostly look to musicians as inspiration for artworks. For me, the musical inspiration changes for each painting.
If you could own one piece from a living artist, who would it be?
I would likely choose to own artwork from Ralph Steadman who has always been an interesting study.
Big question. What do you feel the role of art is in the world?
The role of art is to cause reflection.
What else do you enjoy besides making art?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters, gardening, video games, and exploring.
Where can we find your work? Do you have any shows planned for the future?
I will have a show in 2027 at my gallery, The Clever Tiger and my work can be found there and through social media.
Any final advice for all the artists reading out there?
Keep going and always try new styles/subjects in order to continue growing.
