Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Ashburn.
Hi Lee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008, I worked in retail and restaurants. The recession was happening and there was no way that I knew to make a living in art. I loved the speed of restaurants/retail and I felt useful. The art was not happening for me during these years, so I became obsessed with men’s fashion. I was the men’s merchandiser at Urban Outfitters at Lenox Mall, and that’s how I fell in love with Atlanta and Buckhead. I love when people say, “I haven’t been to Buckhead in years!” Well… you’re missing the party. So much happening all at once-so many different people and backgrounds. I slowly transitioned from FASH to creating art again… after six years of nothing!
My job changed and I had more free time to relax and create. I started very small with watercolor… a cheap way to get back to painting. Always painting in my apartment bedrooms so I have to work clean and small which gives me good boundaries. I grew from abstract geometric watercolor and started acrylics and oil again. Southern skies, especially in the summer, have always fascinated me. It’s always a different composition and always fleeting. All of my favorite artists usually focus on fleeting moments, temporary materials, loss, and capturing an exact moment. I’m trying to create moments with my skies and produce depth and desire with my abstract pieces. I’m glad I’ll always be able to make more!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Finances have always been an issue with my art. Always having to work full-time jobs that take me away from art was the biggest struggle. I decided to start cheap and small and sell to friends. It’s the best way to get into a groove… just start with what you know and make it easy. Then throw it on social media. Instagram was the best thing to happen to our generation of artists!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I love to paint the skies in Atlanta. I will always have a love for abstract art… it’s so accessible to everyone and goes with so many aesthetics. I also want to inject more loud colors into the world. People think they want Grey and Black and White… but the color is sublime.
How do you define success?
Success is spending your time and energy on something you love to do. Money will come and go… and it ALWAYS goes… but time with yourself creating is wealth.
Contact Info:
- Email: Lashburn85@gmail.com
- Instagram: haterfreeart
- Facebook: Haterfree Art
