February 2013 Cover
Cover Arist: Ashley Gaeth                                                                 

Ashley Gaeth is a scholarship recipient and graduate from the University of Wisconsin Parkside with a BA in painting. Her whimsical viewpoint and use of vivid color create engaging images that are bold and imaginative. Ashley is a proud receiver of several awards, including recognition for her charity creation for the summer of 2010’s “Chairs to Palatine” event as the “best use of space” award winner. Her work has also appeared in numerous publications. Two of the pieces from her collections, Bow to Lisa and Leaning Pusses are featured in Volume 4.1 of Straylight Literary Arts Magazine. One of the favorite additions to her collection, SheHorsh, is featured in Volume 4.2 of Straylight Literary Arts Magazine. Grandpa and the Birch Tree is an award winner in the 2010 International Fantasy Art Contest and has appeared in Artist Portfolio Magazine. Ashley has been an exhibiting artist at Mathis Gallery in Racine, Wisconsin as well as River Arts Studio and Gallery in Algonquin, Illinois. She has also been a featured artist at Artsite Racine with her solo collection. Ashley currently is living her dream of pursuing painting full time and is a regular in the Chicago-area art show circuit.

thalo: Tell us a little bit about this month’s featured artwork, Grandpa and the Birch Tree, and your Fantastic Duo series?

Ashley Gaeth:  My Fantastic Duo series includes Grandpa and the Birch Tree and its counterpart, Bow to Lisa. These are two of my favorite works. These paintings were originally conceptualized by creating collages using photographs and original drawing to generate two whimsical, fluid compositions. Inspired by the contrast of organic nature and the repetition of architectural line, the Fantastic Duo uses heightened color and a rainbow pallet of paint to create a series that is lively and fun. The birch trees represented in the Grandpa and the Birch Tree piece are in honor of my Grandpa, an inspirational and motivational artist, who always embraced the unconventional.

th:  Can you tell us about some of the unconventional applications you use when you are painting with acrylics?

AG: I really enjoy experimenting with different paint applications when I work with acrylic. I feel acrylic paint can take on a life of its own when you give it the opportunity. I enjoy using spatters and drips to let the paint land where it likes. It creates a free, unconventional look. I often water down my paint and use sponges and brush flicking to make an abstract base for an iconic subject matter. This method can be a mess, but it’s completely worth it to make art that I find unique and beautiful.

th:Most of your paintings are very colorful, lively and vivid. What do you find appealing about this color palette?

AG: I have always been drawn to happy, bright colors ever since childhood. I feel that there is enough dullness and darkness in life that art should be the complete opposite. If an artist is going to put in the time and effort to create something that will be viewed by others, that the work should bring joy to those that encounter it. I also feel that the bolder and brighter a painting is, the more likely it is to create a fun conversation piece and the more worthy it is to grace someone’s wall. Anyone can put a painting of a piece of fruit on their wall (no offence, fruit- I love fruit), but why would you want to.

th:Is there any message or moral behind your artwork?

AG: Most of my creations come from protesting against the unnecessary ugliness that we encounter on a daily basis. As a child, I depended on art to feel accepted and painting allowed me to ignore the cruelness that can often be present during adolescence. (Mean kids!) The whimsical subject matter and exciting color pallet of my pieces took me to another place. I revisited this notion full-force during college when I was present during a random act of violence. I wanted to surround myself with happiness and fun and allow others that were possibly going through the same emotions that I was to find hope and joy in art that was uncomplicated and only meant to make you smile.

th: What advice do you have for students or recent graduates who are hoping to pursue careers in painting?

AG: Go for it! Do it! Yes, painting can be difficult at times when you are depending on it to pay the bills, but I am a firm believer that the hard working can accomplish anything. Put yourself out there and never stop painting. Submit to contests, visit galleries, and exhibit at art shows. Plug, plug, plug. Push, push, push. Make your work known. The internet and social media are amazing tools when it comes to self-promotion and unconventional lifestyles. I guarantee that following your heart and focusing your energies on creating rather than “doing the daily grind” is going to make you a lot happier than any paycheck you will make at a 9-5 desk job you know you are not meant for.

To learn more about Ashley visit her website.