We were lucky to catch up with Ashlee Sanford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashlee, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I was introduced to the art of oil painting when I was in high school. I took an advanced course that taught me the basics of using this medium. Knowing what I know now, I should have followed my gut instinct and stayed in painting.  Instead, I followed the norm, went to school graduated got a 9-5, and got away from art. Later, I realize that all along art was something that makes me happy and can be turned into a career. The skills that I found most essential as a visual artist is to have your own style and be very self-disciplined in completing your pieces. I’d also add never compare your work to someone else’s, be in competition with yourself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Originally from Ohio, I’m a visual artist that decided to get into this art business about (4) years ago selling wall decor prints and originals. My form of work is Afro-surrealism. This art form expands on the understanding of black individual existence. I like to create art that allows people to think. I like to create art that will bring about a genre of conversation and questions. Social media really helped my pursuit to create my business. It’s a huge motivation when people message me or email me with inquiries about my art.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I support NFTs. It’s an entity that I still learning about myself.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Invest into applying to art residencies! I wish I would’ve done this earlier. I think surrounding yourself in a positive atmosphere really helps your creative process but for myself, I like to travel, and I like to be inspired by the things around me. So, I certainly say for artists to apply to these programs it will certainly help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashleebreyan.com
• Instagram: Iam_breyan