Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Varel.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Art is my comfort zone. It’s something I’ve been doing for a very long time. Graphic Design for JCPenney, freelance photographer, hand painted kids clothing line AvThreads in the Dallas Apparel Market, Makeup Artist for Bobbi Brown, painted murals in homes and I painted the Locomotive party bus in Dallas that is now owned by Big Al from KissFM. These are just some of the part-time fillers I would take on to feed my creative hunger.
It wasn’t until 2016 when my youngest daughter went off to Kindergarten and I was then left with some extra time for myself. I love all things creative but the one ambition that has always been the big craving, the top of it all dream, is to become a full-time painter. I started painting in February getting to know all my old medium friends like acrylic and oil but also introducing a lot of new ones like acrylic fluids, inks and spray paint. I had paint in my hair, paint on my clothes and felt right at home. A friend took notice and passed my name to an art show in Dallas that was in need of more artists. It was now May 6th and I had a grand total of twelve paintings that, to me, were completely different – but all were selected for the event. I sold six at the show, and the rest sold right after.
Today I paint and repeat and now sell work through Instagram as well as my website. Most of my paintings are mixed media on canvas or paper but I do love a good commission project. Every piece is original; I do not make prints.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Yes and no. The dream had fallen into play sooner and smoother than I had imagined. The door was now wide open and it was up to me to navigate which way to go. The option of direction especially in a creative mindset is endless. That has always been a struggle for me. I had entered a new chapter not only in my life as an artist but also at a time where you didn’t have to be chosen into a show at a fancy Art Gallery to be successful. Pros and cons, pros and cons so I just stopped thinking and started painting.
Painting does come in waves and it is a very physical act for me as an Abstract Expressionist. This style holds majority of the power. Art is an overwhelming feeling that you must shake out of your soul when it calls. Devoting my full time to act on the pure emotion in the present comes secondary as a hands-on mother and wife. It can be a struggle for me because they usually end up calling at the same time. What color to use next and what should I make for dinner before soccer practice are thoughts that aren’t ideal for me in the moment.
The Struggle is real y’all but when it works, it makes everything taste so much sweeter.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ashley Varel Art story. Tell us more about the business.
My work is mostly abstract, using mixed media pieces on large canvas. I also work on smaller pieces and on paper, or framed fabrics. I use acrylic, oil, spray paint, pencil, ink, charcoal, and pastels and sometimes I’ll throw in some coffee or wine. I’ve tried to narrow my process down, but there’s really no fun in that for me. Every piece is an unplanned act of reacting movements in present time through music playing, outside atmosphere, mistakes spilt paint; it’s all welcome. Every mark is there for a reason even if it’s hiding under layers of chaos or thrown into the rain to wash off certain layers. They are all uniquely different = it’s purely my original experiments made on different surfaces in my studio. I don’t know the end of the painting until it is signed, sprayed and hung on a wall.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure if it’s luck or just good fortune. I try to leave the idea of good or back luck out of it. What I am grateful for are all the collectors, clients and friends that enjoy what I’m putting out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: ashleyvarelart.com
- Phone: 214-952-9290
- Email: ashleyvarelart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avarelart/
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