Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Perry-Cook.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Athens, Georgia which is heavily influenced by the music and the arts community. I took a lot of art classes in high school and always was a little different I guess you could say. While I did not follow that career path through college, I always felt like I saw things differently than most people around me in the corporate world and felt things more deeply. My current full-time job is a paralegal for a divorce attorney and we are often walking people through the most difficult times in their lives which as I am sure you can imagine can be extremely emotional and stressful. Not to get into too many details, but after the pandemic, several traumatic events through this time and from childhood, I began having panic attacks. The worst part about panic attacks is the fear of having another one and avoiding triggers. I went from being an extremely extroverted person to much more introverted. I had sketched things here and there, and mainly took photographs of beautiful landscapes, flowers, dogs, etc., but I decided I wanted to begin painting again and pour all of my emotions into art. I am not sure I did this consciously, it just worked out that way. I primarily began with oil paints and began submitting my pieces to exhibits. Then, I went to an art exhibit where I had some of my paintings hung and noticed a really cool piece which was definitely different from something I had seen before. The medium the man used was alcohol ink which I had never heard of before. So, I began researching it and decided I wanted to try it. Now, my main medium is alcohol ink. I create because I must and paint multiple times daily, It is a form of meditation for me where I completely check out of rumination and enter another vibe. It has definitely been a learning process, and I learn new techniques each day. I began posting my artwork and had inquires to buy pieces, so I opened my own business Serene Visions & Creatives, LLC and began an Etsy site and here I am! I consider myself to be an emerging alcohol ink artist. I sell a lot of my work to people I know or on Etsy. I had a piece accepted into the Lyndon House 50th Juried Exhibit, ATHICA, Winterville Cultural Center Gallery, Waxing Phoenix Virtual Gallery and OCAF. I also had my first solo exhibit at my favorite restaurant in Athens in June at The Last Resort! I have mostly submitted locally, but plan to try to expand those entries to more diverse areas, festivals and small artist markets, I would love to create full-time, but in the meantime I have bills to pay. We can always dream!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been smooth in some ways and not in others. Some aspects that have been smooth is I never really have a block, so I am constantly able to create. I am beginning to have different ideas and those are exciting! I was introduced to the owner of Waxing Phoenix Virtual Gallery by a high school friend who has mentored me some and made my art more accessible online. I think some of the most difficult parts is overcoming anxiety to expand into other areas and really put myself out there so to speak. However, if I would not have put myself out there, I would have never would have had that solo exhibit at The Last Resort or been accepted into the Lyndon House 50th Juried Exhibit! Also, it has been difficult to overcome insecurities about my work and not compare it to those artists who have been at it for longer than I have. I have chosen instead to focuse on improving, admiring and learning from other artists’ work, but staying true to my own visions. There is a great online art community to support your work as well and to learn from. Also, I need to stage a booth so I can begin entering artist markets which always require a booth photograph in order to be considered. This has been a challenge since I never had a booth before enabling me to submit that photo..
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself to be an emerging alcohol ink artist and dabble in some oil paintings. I think one thing that sets me apart is this is alcohol ink is not generally the main medium I encounter at art exhibits. It tends to be a little different and most people I know are not as familiar with it. I think I am most proud of genuinely trying to be as authentic, vulnerable and emotionally expressive in my art which I hope comes through. While I feel things deeply and while some of my pieces may be considered “dark”, I go through phases and do believe most of my paintings are vibrant in colors and bring some joy in an otherwise sometimes dark world. Since I have always been heavily influenced by music, I put tremendous thought into the music I incorporate into my instagram posts and the titles of my paintings that help evoke the vibe I am trying to express. I am also very proud to having been accepted into the Lyndon House 50th Juried Exhibit with incredible artists and my own solo show at The Last Resort. regard to my business Serene Visions and Creatives, LLC (SereneVisionsArts on Etsy), I take pride in my customer service of immediately responding to inquires and sales, offering different print and price options, quick shipping and being grateful for every customer and expressing that gratitude to them. I also offer most of my works on greeting cards and have some greeting cards on my Etsy site…which can also be used as invitations.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success? I believe success is an interesting concept and can be interpreted in many ways. To me, success is being happy with the pieces I create, wanting to hang them on my own walls and being able to accurately reflect my vision into each piece. I try not to focus on “likes” on social media and other people’s opinions. One thing I have learned is art is very subjective. You have to be happy with your own work. Success would also be able to quit my full-time job and pursue creating full-time and devote more time to my loved ones and 4 canine companions! We can all strive for our goals and dreams!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SereneVisionsArts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenevisionsandcreatives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Serene-Visions-Creatives-LLC/61558021238726/
