We were lucky to catch up with Ashlyn Craig recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashlyn, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
I am a young adult living with chronic illnesses and pain, so the care I am giving my body directly correlates to my ability to engage. The ways I care for my body is constantly flowing, because my body’s needs are ever-changing. Recently, self care has looked like accepting when I need an extra nap, moving my body, and getting regular massages for pain management. In my artistic practice, self care has meant recognizing when I need to take breaks from making (which can be very hard when I’m in the zone!) to stretch and ensure I’m not causing extra pain or burn out.
It has also been extremely important for me to set aside time for things I enjoy doing that don’t revolve around my body. Lately, having a pot of tea has felt like the most nourishing act of self care. The process of brewing a pot – smelling different teas and deciding on a flavor, placing the loose leaves in a diffuser, making sure the temperature of the water and brewing time is just right – really helps me to pause, be present, and go forward in my day feeling more grounded.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a traditional artist and polymer clay jewelry maker. My work is heavily influenced by botanicals, and often depicts florals, fruits, and veggies. My art and my earrings are highly detailed and made to bring beauty into the mundane.
I graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a bachelors in Visual Art, emphasis in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking in 2021. After struggling with some pretty heavy artistic burnout following my graduation, I started making polymer clay earrings with a friend on a whim to keep some form of creative outlet. It very quickly became an obsession, and now, my livelihood. I started selling my art and jewelry at local makers markets, and can now be found at pop ups as far north as Long Beach.
If you are interested in seeing where I’ll be next, you can find me on Instagram at @ashlyncraigart or shop on my website, ashlyncraigart.com/store.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I think the things that have been the most impactful in getting me to where I am now are my work ethic, my acceptance of failure, and my love for what I am doing. I am extremely stubborn, which means that no matter what I am doing, I am going to get it done, one way or another. I have struggled with perfectionism, and I used to beat myself up when something I worked really hard on didn’t come out the exact way that I pictured it in my mind. Learning to accept failure as a part of the process has allowed me enjoy the journey and value success so much more. Finally, leaning into doing what I love without fear or reservations has made me an exponentially happier person. Especially as someone who has more limited amounts of energy, I will always choose using that energy towards things that feel life-affirming as opposed to draining.
My advice to those early in their journey is:
1. Give yourself grace. Life is heavy enough on its own, so give yourself breaks when you need them and small kindnesses, because you deserve them.
2. Regardless of your circumstances, you are never stuck. There is always a way out, and there are ways to incorporate the life-affirming things into your own life. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith, which can be terrifying (trust me, I get it), but I firmly believe that you are capable of having a life centered around things that you love.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I am extremely lucky in that I have most incredible, supportive parents out there. Neither of my parents are artists, (my mom is a teacher, and my dad is in finance – about the furthest you can get from an artist!) and yet, they have been nothing but my champions since the very beginning. The most impactful thing that they could have ever done, and the reason that I am able to live and work as an artist now, is because they saw my art as something that was not only valid, but worthwhile.
They didn’t bat an eye when, in high school, I decided to paint a mural of Van Gogh’s Starry Night on two of my walls in my bedroom. They supported me through university. My dad helped me hang my first gallery show. My mom posts every one of my shop announcements on her Facebook. They’ve commissioned countless pieces from me. I could go on and on, but I will end with this:
To my parents, thank you for allowing me to be myself. Thank you for cultivating me, and for walking with me every step of the way. I am grateful beyond words, and I love you beyond measure.
Contact Info:
- Website: ashlyncraigart.com
- Instagram: @ashlyncraigart
- Other: TikTok: @ashlyncraigart
Image Credits
Images 7 & 8 – Sydney Barrett
