Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Davis.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started when I became a mom in 2017. Before that, I was a stylist in Knoxville for almost 10 years at a salon called Belleza. No one can prepare you for how much anxiety and joy comes with motherhood! I decided to stay home with my sweet boy to soak it all up. It has been the most wonderful blessing, but I did go through a bit of an identity crisis.
I went to therapy for a while and was diagnosed with PTSD and postpartum anxiety. Therapy was the best thing I could’ve done for myself. She gave me a lot of ideas to cope with what I was going through like; mindfulness, distraction, and structured problem-solving. I have always been a really creative, hands-on person. So my therapist and I decided it was a great idea to start doing more DIY projects and art. It was almost like a type of therapy itself. It grounded me enough to be in the present, distracted me from a lot of my worries, and it’s all about problem-solving!
After feeling a lot better, I decided to start a blog as a way to stay accountable, share my work, help me through my other pregnancies and hopefully make a little money. My goal with this new endeavor is to inspire and help others suffering from the same things I went through. As another way I’m trying to help, I’ve been talking to PSI Postpartum Support International about putting a way to donate on my website. I’ve loved drawing since I was a lil’ girl. The first art lesson that I remember, was my mamaw teaching me how to draw a porch on the side of a house. She was my cheerleader and inspiration every day.
Now my kids are my muse and watercolor is my medium. Time is fleeting and I want to hold onto and capture as many memories as I can with them. The splatters drip, and the hard lines in my paintings represent our memories. How they run away from us and blur over time. I’m doing my very first art show this weekend and launching prints for sale on my website. I’m also working with a local print service on making baby swaddles/blankets out of my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anxiety and imposter syndrome! Also finding time with three kids now, four and under, is rough!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I started painting with watercolor after my first son was born. I’ve done mostly animals. Whatever my kids are into at the moment. First was sea creatures, then farm animals, now ALL the bugs! I like to put an abstract twist on all the animals.
I guess that’s what I’m “known” for. I’m currently working on objects of one color example; a pattern of orange – carrot, leaf, pumpkin, orange, monarch butterfly, and goldfish.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Playing with my cousins at my mamaw’s house.
Pricing:
- 5×7 prints $17
- 8×10 prints $21
- 11×14 prints $31
- 16×20 prints $65
Contact Info:
- Email: Emoryfarm@gmail.com
- Website: Emoryfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emoryfarm/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/emoryfarm/
Image Credits
Tiffani Woodruff
