Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Wheeler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The idea of my business, Dust & Ash Co., was conceived in 2015 on a drive home as I looked up to the full moon in the night sky. I was overwhelmed by its beauty and decided at that moment that I was unafraid to pursue my true passion: Astronomy. At the time, I was studying studio art at Georgia State University and was struggling to muster up the passion to keep doing what I was doing. In a fit of inspiration, I added on a physics minor to my degree *gasps.* Everyone asked what the heck I would do with a minor in physics, I replied that it would help support my astronomical artwork. I had painted the moon shortly after my miraculous encounter that one night and it set off a frenzy- I had to know about all the moons in the solar system (yes, there are MANY). And I had to use the one talent I felt secure in to paint the moons and tell people about them. Because for me, it has never been just about recreating them in all their beauty- photos exist of them. Sure, I paint the moons of our solar system from legitimate sources (NASA) to fully expose them for what they look like, out there orbiting in space. But a new passion developed unknowingly as I presented these moon paintings on my social media channels: I LOVE telling people about this. Seeing their expressions. Seeing the shock that something, something like THIS exists in our own cosmic backyard.
The name “Dust & Ash Co.” was largely inspired by Job 42:6 “…and I repent in dust and ashes.” I read an interpretation of the book of Job that pointed to God walking Job through the cosmos and at the very end when God had absolutely rocked the socks off of Job’s feet… he said he repented in dust and ashes because he was THAT humbled at what he had witnessed. I feel a very similar feeling when looking up or reading about space: small. Humbled. In shock and full of submission to something that is greater than myself. It’s a cool coincidence that dust plays such a major role in space… I mean, we are made of stardust!!! And it doesn’t hurt that my name is Ash.
So, after I painted every single spherical moon of the solar system (it took me from 2015-2019), I set out to make a website that encapsulated my heart for the universe and also a platform where people could purchase my work + I could exhibit it. I officially launched my business on July 28th, 2019. Four years of fantasizing about pushing “publish” is a lot of pressure, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of people rally behind me and support me in this astronomically huge dream. I can’t forget to mention that in that four-year timeframe, I changed my major as a senior about to graduate with my art degree to astrophysics. I’m projected to graduate now in 2021!!! Chase your dreams people, run after them. This year, my business has brought a lot of amazing opportunities along: from being interviewed by Vans, to being invited to NASA for a social event, to painting a super-moon mural in Buckhead, to having my first pop-up ever in Atlanta and now, I’m having one at NASA?!?! So many cool things. So many cool opportunities to share about our universe. All in all, I feel so insanely blessed.
Has it been a smooth road?
The journey leading up to today has NOT been easy. Heck, I tried to launch my business millions (okay that’s dramatic) of times. I can’t tell you how many times I would post a picture on Instagram saying “Dust & Ash Co., coming soon” only to put it on the back burner. The timing wasn’t right, a lot can happen in four years! I got married, moved, got puppies, dealt with loss, had multiple life crises, changed my major… the list goes on.
Not to mention the fact that I am terrible at technology- you kind of have to have a website these days. That was one of my main hurdles. Until a designer helped me, I was at a standstill. Honestly, I had really high expectations of what I was creating. I wanted everything to be perfect and I was paralyzed out of fear that it wouldn’t be good enough for me or anyone else- after you get past that + muster up the confidence to do your best work and just DO YOU, it’s a cakewalk.
The primary hardship I faced though, just as a human, was nailing down what I wanted to do with my life. What my passion was- what I wanted to wake up every morning excited about. Once I figured that out, everything else just fell into place. I was living under the lie that you have to pursue a career in something you’re “good” at. I was terrified of science, it was my hardest subject growing up (right next to the monster that is: math). Straight up changing my major to the polar opposite degree was terrifying. I got a lot of crazy looks from advisors. They told me to “think about it for 24 hours and if I was still serious, to come back the next day.” Bet your bottom freaking dollar I marched in there the next day. Life is too short to not love what you do. Ladies, men, boys, girls, humans… do what you love. If you want to knit sweaters for the rest of your life, or build skyscrapers, or make gyros, or be a manager at Target… DO IT. Do it in a way only you can. Give the world what they desperately need: YOU. Find people that love you so hard. Tell them your crazy dreams and let them challenge you. You can do it!
We’d love to hear more about Dust & Ash Co.
My current body of work is centered around the spherical moons of our solar system, painted in utmost scientific accuracy. There are hundreds of moons in our solar system, but not all of them have enough mass to form in on themselves to become a spherical shape because, ya know… gravity. I painted our moon, the four main moons of Jupiter (AKA the Galilean moons), seven of Saturn’s moons, five of Uranus’ moons, Neptune’s moon and yes… Pluto’s moon. I painted them all on round canvases and *very roughly* chose their canvas sizes based on their approximate size relation to one another in their respective system. Their colors, craters, chasmata, valleys, etc. are all very close to what you would see if you were floating in front of these bodies. Their accuracy was so important to me, and I try to stress that as much as possible. Obviously, I am human. They are not perfectly precise, but having that human imperfect touch is what makes them art and I sleep okay at night because of that.
I guess people would say I’m the “moon girl” or “moon lady.” I have been called those names multiple times and to be perfectly honest with you… most of my smile lines are because of that. I love it. Even while I was building on my brand and still painting all the moons, people in Atlanta would recognize me primarily because of my work. That is so gratifying and special to me.
I’m most proud of the fact that my work serves as a vessel for inspiration and admiration for the cosmos. I hope and pray that anyone with a moon of mine in their home/office/anywhere is inspired to look up. I feel like there are a few things that set me apart from the next Etsy artist that paints moons: I paint them on spherical canvases. This is a feat, let me tell you. Finding circle canvases in the range of 5″-20″ is no easy task but I set out to do it because it is essential to my work. Another thing is that I set out to paint my moons with a firm scientific foundation. That is debatably the most important thing- it’s easy to guesstimate and blob some paint where you think a crater is or be creative with it. Not knocking anyone that does that- but my work doesn’t do that and is different because of it. Lastly, my work is spiritual to me. It shocks a lot of people that I’m pursuing a career in science and my work is centered around science and… I believe in God. My work is impossible without my faith.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I’m extremely grateful for a lot of things, but especially for being a woman in what I believe to be the second space age. In the past, what I’m doing would not have been possible. Now, I am at an advantage because of my gender. Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are being acknowledged now more than ever and there are countless scholarships, clubs, opportunities, etc. for us ladies to choose from! A simple google search will show you that there is an abundantly large pool for women to choose from in terms of resources. Go out there and get it, ladies!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dustandashco.com
- Email: hello@dustandashco.com
- Instagram: @dustandashco
- Facebook: Dust + Ash Co.
Image Credit:
Kayla Johnson, Brooke Greene, Chris House
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