We recently connected with Ashley Chew and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

My best investment has been sleep! Being a New Yorker, sleep can be a luxury, so I try to get a decent night’s sleep so that I can show up as my best the next day. I used to think that pulling all-nighters to paint or starting a new project at 3am was productive, but I really found myself doing the same task over and over as I would not be as focused. My worst investment used to be buying every single paint color. Artists will save so much of their materials, waste, and money by learning to mix your own colors. Not painting directly out of the tube also gives you so many more options and flexibility.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My art is an expression of Women and Women-identifying at rest, relaxation, luxury, and joy. Especially Women of Color. I was raised in the Midwest. Chicago-born, and Indianapolis raised. I studied The Fine Arts, but ended up modeling several years in New York City. I loved modeling and all of the amazing experiences, but I always felt like I never got the opportunity to utilize my knowledge and talents. However, I do love that the industry is changing to cater to individuals with multiple endeavors, several years ago, it was not this way. As a Black Woman Millennial Artist, I am excited to be on this journey showing up as myself fully. Growing up studying The Arts, I did not learn of Women Artists until college, and had learned about Black Contemporary Artists after college through personal research. When you are marginalized in more ways than one, you help open more doors for others like you. Art should be diverse. Art should be accessible. I create the work that others can see themselves reflected in. Representation can inspire the next creative, curator, gallerist, director, and innovator. Make room to make more rooms. I am most proud of simply showing up for myself, anything else is a bonus.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Earlier in my creative journey I wish I had utilized more books outside of school. I devoted so much time to drawing and looking at images. My collection of books now spans from Art, Writing, Photography, Black History, Pop Culture, Mindfulness, and Color Theory. I also keep a dozen in the studio. Scrolling online is not always accurate, biased, and can be overwhelming. Books are one of my most cherished investments now, but it’s the uphill battle of having the time (& eyes) to paint and read everything I want to. Podcasts have also become a happy medium to this.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

A Creative will always be a creative. No matter how you dress us up, dress us down, suppress our resources, detour our dreams. We will find a way. There are many creatives sitting in non-creative environments due to financial, societal, environmental, and familial pressures, this does not make an individual any less of a creative. Don’t assume someone is not brilliant because they don’t have the platform, resources, stability and support to pursue a creative journey. Be kind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleybchew.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash_chew/
• Other: Tik Tok : @ash__chew

Image Credits
All credits by / to Ashley Chew