We were lucky to catch up with Nicholas G. Ashton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicholas G., appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Misunderstood in life on a personal level led me to taking personal risks to find out who I truly am, between struggling with alcohol addiction and mental health, changing jobs over and over, then starting my own businesses, to moving and living with different family members and . then eventually finding myself living in a 1967 12′ trailer in an orchard learning about myself and how to cope with my addiction, and eventually understanding my mental health and how important it is to take care of. I found painting as a vise.

Nicholas G., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an American abstract artist that has a unique painting style using an unorthodox method of manipulating the emotion behind the creation of each piece, has been Internationally featured in digital art shows, and published in Art Anthology IV in the national library of Spain, also i About Me I have a tough time explaining who I was before I started painting, but painting has
become the one thing that breaths life into me. As a struggling recovering alcoholic who survived
homelessness, incarceration and, severe mental health issues along with losing my one true
canine best friend Harley I started painting as a way to alleviate depressive and anxious
episodes before realizing the real talent that had lain dormant. Growing up I always felt like I
never had that real track to follow in life, having this internal knowledge drove me to just
continuously try new things to see where and If I could find that hidden track. This has given me
a passionate grasp on the things I do try and succeed in; gifting me the attitude of never being
afraid to try something once. I do not regret my past and the mistakes I made because they led
me to discover my real passion. Painting. When I paint, I have the freedom to be myself, to let
my emotions flow, and to do it the way I want. I first started painting to occupy a void that
alcohol was filling. So much of my earliest work was created in a depressive state with no
motivation to keep going. The first piece ‘Hold Yourself Accountable’ along with my other early
work was done with a Q-tip and ended with a quote. These pieces were given to family or
friends who felt drawn to them. When I paint, I disappear into my own self, a place with no
judgment or guilt attached. I have a difficult time looking at the completed pieces because of
this and giving them a proper name. Giving people a rainbow of emotions when looking at my
artwork is where my joy is truly found inspiring the name Fridge Arte. I want each piece to give
you that surge of emotion whenever you look at it.
(big thanks to my cousin Kristy Ashton, who helped me write and edit my bio.)
I build my canvas from a fresh unprimed roll where i can prime it to my way where the paint will bleed or blend to the mix of the the paint i created using different paint types and mixtures. then my easel that i built using random materials I have kept throughout my life, consisting of a farm tiller disc, and some old garage door pulleys and scrap boards i just knew i would use someday.
I was first offered to be seen in 2021 with M.A.D.S. Art Gallery in Milano (Italy), and Fuerteventura (Islas Canarias-Spain for the Paraiso digital art show where I showed The Fridge Arte color wheel, then the DE.MO Lifestyle art exhibition where I showed Shattered. Then shortly after that I was offered to be published in Art Anthology IV, Madrid edition by Guto Ajayu Culture.
from there I took a break from entering shows for a few yeas and really just focused on myself and my craft. In 2023 I was invited to be a part of The Gallery Xperance a popup gallery that came to Salt Lake City, Utah for the NBA AllStar week events where i was able to show 47 paintings for that week. Then most recently I have just signed up with Artifact NYC, to be digitally shown in the Jackson Pollock Pavillon at the South Hamptons art fair, along with other art fairs in the U.S.A throughout 2023/24

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding part of being an artist is the therapy it has provided me to cope with my own mind. I dont normally have a goal or any idea of how I want my painting to look or the colors used to create. I just let the gravity and emotions take control and let the paint, paint. I never throw away work that I do mainly because everyone sees it different, or I will add to it down the road when running low on new canvas or have artist block. I work a full time job as a Property maintanence supervisor, then come home and paint until I remember to go to bed, what usually ends in the early morning hours. sometimes I sit in my studio for hours building up the motivation or inspiration needed to throw paint.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

People have a difficult time accepting there mental health and it effect on themself, I did for the longest time trying to self medicate to be what I felt as a normal person and fit in. I struggled severely accepting that I have problems that alcohol could not fix, and I use to accept that alcohol and I would see the end together.
over the years of heavy drinking the alcohol took its toll on my body and life causing multiple trips to the hospital and Jail were I would sit for a week at a time while my pancreas would heal, or end up back in jail for DUI’s and unpaid fines.
My lowest and most loneliest moment came New Years day when I ended up back in the hospital for a week having hallucinations of doctors coming in telling me I was dying and I had no one by my side, but I had my mom and dad and family and friends who were always there with me. Then a few days after i was released still in alot of pain and recovering my mother did something I never would have thought, she dropped me off at my friends house on her way back home and called the cops and turned me in, I was arrested and put in jail and sat for a few weeks. What I thought to be a betrayal actually turned into the most amazing thing that has happened. I was able to really see myself for the man I had become and it lead me to seeing the mental health issues I had. and I was able to go home from that and stay sober for 2 years learning about myself and how creative I actually was.
to this day I still struggle on a daily basis staying sober, altho I do not drink hard alcohol anymore I do like to drink a few beers to relax.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fridgearte.gallery
• Instagram: fridge.arte_nstuff

Image Credits

Jamily Wray