We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Delaney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I have a meaningful practice. I collect recyled, upcycled and found objects that once had purpose but have sense been lost, donated or discarded. I don’t usually start with the end in mind when I collect my treasures. Sometimes my treasures sit in my studio for years before I understand what their new life is to become. Sometimes I know immediately what their new purpose is to be. Each object I acquire was created by someone or many someones. As I am working with the creations of others that came before me I feel a sense of collaboration. With my background being in the theatre, collaboration is at the heart of what I love. Being a studio artist can be a very isolating venture and my practice allows me to honor and connect with the creative genius of artists of all kinds.
One of my latest pieces is called “She Lives in the Cosmos” and is one of my finest collaborations to date. I started by thrifting a framed print and taking it apart. I then took a 365 day calendar that has a fine art print every day and cut out the pieces I liked. Then I assembled the pieces on the thrifted print to create a new environment while still letting prominent features from the previous artist’s work shine through. In the end I had collaborated with 100s of artists and combined pieces of their masterpieces into one of my own.
Every time I finish a piece I am reminded of the phoenix. The many objects that I use have come to the end of one era and emerge as something completely new when I am finished. I also feel that my soul goes on a journey with every piece of art I make. There is a point in the process where everything feels wrong, too hard, impossible, bad, but as long as I push through that leg of the trip I constantly emerge on the other side with something beautiful and transformational. Every collaboration is teaching and shaping me. I am so thankful to each person who said yes to the scary act of being an artist and creating from their soul for the world to see to I can experience some of who they are and in so know myself more.
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?
Growing up, my mom always had drawers of craft supplies so that when we caught the creative bug we could make until our hearts were content. It was these drawers of glue, glitter, paint, paper, felt, beads, and anything else we could imagine that still influence my preferred method of making art.
When I was young and would feel overwhelmed or stressed I used art as an outlet. One night, instead of studying for a test, I remember collaging and painting a bar stool. When I finished I felt like I could breathe again and my head had space to prepare for the test. It was like magic.
Then when I was in sixth grade I inherited my great-grandmother’s sewing machine. Being able to sew opened up a whole new world of possibilities. In high school, I participated in theatre and was given the opportunity to explore all aspects of theatrical design, as well as use my new found sewing skills.
In college I studied theatrical design with a focus in costuming and was able to take a few art courses as well. My favorite classes were 3D art and interior design. I wished I could have taken more classes but time did not allow.
After college I married my best friend and we started our life together which quickly included two children. Many cities, states, careers, houses, and life lessons later we found ourselves back in my hometown of Abilene Texas. The year was 2020. The transition and state of the world allowed our family time to slow down and focus on what was really important to us. Although I had some creative outlets, I hadn’t had the space or time for a studio in over 10 years. So there I was, picking up my box of crayons again, and feeling more like myself than I had in a long time.
After years of exploration and experimentation with all kinds of supplies, online classes, and learning with friends, I feel I am finally finding my voice as a visual artist. My art will always be different due the nature of my supplies (upcycled, recycled and thrifted materials) but that is one of my favorite things about my practice! I am constantly surprising people! You never know what I’m going to do next. Right now I’m working on a series of fabric collaged piggy banks that will have wings that I’ve made for them. I believe in magic. I believe in the impossible. I believe pigs can fly if we really want them to.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have a friend who gives me permission to say no. I am so thankful for him.
As an artist, I would like to have my art available for purchase and to sell said art. Fortunately and unfortunately there are countless options to do this. I am not one to shy away from trying new things but when and how do you know if it’s time to say “this isn’t working” and move on? Failure is a step in the learning process and my friend helps me say “that was a bust, try something new”.
I have explored art markets, etsy, booths in crafting/art shops, online sales, gallery exhibitions, etc. I have tried making art specifically to sell in a certain place in the right sizes. I’d love to say I have figured it all out, I’ve found the key, but I haven’t. I’m still trying, still exploring.
What I have learned is that my art that sells are the pieces that I have made purely for myself, for my own pleasure. When I try to make something I think someone will like and buy they don’t sell. They barely looked at it. The algorithm of what is popular doesn’t work for me. My art sells when I have poured my soul into it and am not concerned with the end result or who will buy.
I’d love to have a tried and true system of making and selling art, and maybe one day I will. For now, I will try to stay true to my heart and create what needs to flow out of it while putting as much energy into pursuing how to connect my art with the right buyer at the right time.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Value art and the artist. At a high level.
Set standards for yourself and only purchase items from living artists. Local when possible! Buy art for your walls from the art market or galleries not massively reproduced from box stores. Buy dishes and mugs from the local pottery place and their artists. See a show at the local theatre. Buy gifts from a local jeweler. Watch a band at a local restaurant. Eat in local (non-chain) restaurants. All makers are artists. Be intentional about where your dollars are spent and make them mean something.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleydelaneyart.com
- Instagram: ashleydelaneyart
