July 2013 Cover
Cover Arist: Ashley Shaffer

Ashley Shaffer is a deaf artist born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Maryland School for the Deaf at Columbia and Frederick Campuses. In 2011, she graduated from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute Technology in Rochester, NY. Ashley is the only deaf member in her family. Her family members are also artists in their own ways. Her father is a huge fan of Led Zeppelin and has an extensive collection, her sister is such a fashionableness and fan of art. Ashley uses various types of mixed media, such as markers, paint, and pencils. She also loves to do graphic design, decorate, and anything related to fashion and art - she loves everything!

thalo: How and when did you get interested in art ?

Ashley Shafer: When I four or five years old, I was told that I had a amazing imagination. From there, my passion for art has developed. I finally poured all of my passion into art. I  express myself through any kind of art. That’s how I’ve discovered art is a huge part of my life because this is who I am and this is what I love to do.

th: Can you tell us about this month’s cover piece, My Own World?

AS: There are many meanings behind this artwork, which is part imagination and also a metaphor within a hidden message. It represents that every person does have their own world as much as who they are to create their own world.  The abstract plant means you believe in something as much as you aren’t afraid to grow and move forward, be unstoppable. You may be surprised where it would take you. It makes you stronger than ever.  The black frame means open the window of every opportunity you want to take.  The red dress means pick a right color choice that represents your true color within.  Express yourself and stand out through beauty image. That woman’s body language creates an image that is worth of a thousand words.  It is based on my experience:  take risks, grow, learn, inspire, be strong and fearless!

th: Most of you artwork has very positive, inspiring and hopeful feel.  What influences your style?

AS: Well, actually there are a lot of artists that inspire my expression, color, and style.  I find that is more interesting to put all of their influences into my own art style. I wanted to create my own way to inspire people by “expression” - hidden powerful message that are unspoken and spoken through my artwork that may catch people’s eyes. I believe every color does connect every kind of emotion based on life and experience itself. It’s beautiful. That’s what I see through them. There are a bunch of specific reasons why I wanted to inspire people through my artwork -- make their lives colorful, express who they are through something in their own way, find something to feel and connect to in countless ways through my artwork.

th: Do you have any advice for art students and/or aspiring artists?

AS: Here it is my quote -- "Find yourself through art and it could take you a mile or even a thousand miles... You never know how many miles until you finally find yourself."

There are a thousand words in that quote, especially the bottom line -- it’s all about discovering who you are, don’t be afraid to express something through art, and develop your true art skill to stand out.

To learn more about Ashley Shaffer, please visit her website.