We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Corbello. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Most professional artists will tell you they loved making art from a very young age, that it was always their calling, but that was not me. I grew up in South Louisiana where there were not art classes in elementary and we spent most of our time outside riding horses or playing in fields. I remember when we moved to Missouri one of the school counselors asked me if I wanted to take art or music. To which I responded, “What kind of music?” and she said “Choir”. So I chose art, because marching band was the extent of my musical abilities at the time.

Even during those middle school years, I liked art ok but it wasn’t my passion. It wasn’t until high school when I had a really great teacher my freshman year that I fell in love with it. From there on I knew there was nothing else that I liked well enough to do for the rest of my life. I went on to major in Illustration in college, but my parents weren’t too keen on the idea of me being an artist so I took all the graphic design requirements as well so I would have a more “marketable” skill after graduation.

After graduating I went to work as graphic designer for a major corporation and early on I loved it. I loved being able to solve problems creatively and I found a place where they trusted me to deliver for clients in an exceptional way. And then several years down the road they began to hire new team members without the necessary skills and asked me to train them. At first it was fine and then later I found out they were being paid more than I was and that was when the whole corporate, “get a job and move up” lie I had been told began to fall apart. I was being told I was a rock star, but when I asked why my colleagues with less skills were being paid more I was lied to. That was the moment I decided that if I was going to work hard for someone it might as well be myself. In the early days I still did some freelance graphic design while I built up my painting business. But now it’s strictly painting and I can’t imagine ever going back.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a realistic pet and animal painter. My works capture the ones we love in body and spirit as well as share my story and experiences with the world. Although there are no people in my paintings they are still very much the story of my life.

Growing up I never felt like I belonged and with our horses and dogs was always where I felt most comfortable. They never judged me or asked me to be something else, they just love you wholly as you are. They celebrate the good times with us and carry us through the bad times. So naturally they are my choice for subject matter.

Flash forward to now and my dogs are my whole world. They bring me more joy than words can express and I want to help people create one-of-a-kind artworks that celebrate that joy. A small reminder that you are loved and already perfect as you are. If only we could see ourselves as our pets do.

My love for animals extends beyond my own pets. I also am very passionate about animal rescue and volunteer for MARQ here in Raytown. I participated in The Parade of Hearts earlier this year and my heart featured a small selection of my foster dogs that have had a big impact on me. Evey one of them has taught me something and I’ll never forget them.

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

People are always keen to throw large sums of money at art when it’s at a charity auction, but to actually hand an artist several thousand dollars for a piece of work tends to be much more of a hurdle. And what most non-artists don’t realize is that being an artist is very much a pay to play game.

Those artists at your local art fair – they all paid between $20-$50 for someone to say yes or no you can’t be here(if you see the word “juried” around and event that’s what it means) and then ANOTHER $300-$600+ for a spot on the pavement to be able to set up their tents and hope you buy from them. The tents and walls they use to display their work, the artist pays for that themselves too. Add in the cost to do an art fair out of town and you’re looking at $1,000 minimum investment just to go to work. To top it all off, if you find a show you do well at you are not guaranteed that they’ll let you in again next year.

If you buy a work in a gallery, the gallery typically takes 50% of the price as a commission.

Granted, social media has opened up a world of online sales where fees are less, but in my experience there is no better way to find collectors than meeting them in person. And then they’ll follow you on social media and buy something 2 years later.

Our prices aren’t what they are because we’re greedy or elitist. We’re just trying to make a living and having to pay handsomely to get in the door.

So if you see something you love, buy it. It really makes a big difference to us.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most amazing thing about being an artist is seeing the joy or tears in someone’s eyes when they receive a painting of the beloved pets or when they find the perfect piece of art in my booth.

One lady this summer bought an painting of an Octopus because she absolutely LOVES them. She told me about all kinds of Octopi (look up glass octopus) that are out there, and how smart they are. Her love for them and joy at finding my painting of one was absolutely infectious.

I get so many messages telling me about the life people have lived with their pets and the heartbreak they feel after their passing. I’m fortunate to be able to share in their journey, and create something special for them that not only celebrates the life they lived, but also brings a little healing to their hearts.

I never thought my work would make such and impact. My collectors make it all worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ashleycorbello.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycorbello/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleycorbellopaintings

Image Credits
1st image of 2 dogs with paintings is by EllyMay Moments