We recently connected with Ashley Harrington and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Art woke me up to the importance of my mental well-being. Before I started my art practice, I persisted through distractions. I was never on a level of self-awareness to understand why emotions are so important. Once I started painting, curiosity could only go so far as my mental walls would allow. I knew I had to start processing decades of repressed emotions to create authentic art.
Mental health was seen as a weakness growing up, so it wasn’t a skill that I practiced a lot. Extensive sexist bullying and belittlement triggered an overly-sensitive defense, emotional desensitization. Over time, this coping mechanism became an obstacle to my personal growth. It wasn’t until I started my art practice that I confronted this issue. I needed to take steps towards understanding my emotions and past experiences.
In my opinion, there is no “overcoming” of mental health. It is a dynamic relationship with yourself that you have to observe and learn from. I currently work on my mental health everyday, from journaling to painting. My art helps me reflect on my repressed emotions and learn more about myself. I hope my work encourages others to embrace their emotions and to find their own personal truths to grow from.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a self-taught expressive figure painter from Raleigh, North Carolina, known for my unique approach in giving life to hidden emotions through exaggerated figures. My artistic journey is a deep dive into the realm of self-awareness, shaped by my personal experiences and the confines of societal norms. Decades of repressed emotions left me feeling disconnected and questioning my identity. Through my figurative art, I strive to unearth and express these concealed emotions, deepening my self-understanding.
As I strive to revive my emotional connection, I utilize the female figure as a bridge between body and mind. The abstraction of the figure empowers unfiltered emotional expression without the burden of overthinking. My creative process is grounded in practices such as meditation, journaling, and layered painting to capture subconscious emotions. My rational brain is well-versed in controlling my emotions, so it takes a lot of practice and patience to allow intuitive play into my process. Layer by layer, my paintings transform, with the initial stages offering a canvas for my subconscious to articulate emotions that I interpret and guide. In this dynamic process, my art reflects my internal exploration, highlighting the profound influence of emotions on my identity. Through my work, I aspire to offer viewers a unique female perspective on the path to self-discovery and encourage their own exploration of emotional awareness.
My work is currently available online, and during events I host a couple times per year. My next event is on Saturday December 2nd in downtown Raleigh at 606 N. Person Street. I will be showcasing my newest body of work from 4-7pm. You can learn more here: https://bleedingartstudio.com/events/
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In my artistic journey, I’ve found three qualities to be particularly impactful: self-discipline, daily practice, and the ability to forgive oneself. Being an artist is a path that demands perseverance and patience as you work on building your portfolio, expanding your network, and increasing your exposure. Developing daily habits is essential, as it allows you to break down larger goals into manageable, daily tasks. It’s crucial to establish a routine that includes regular check-ins to ensure you’re staying on course, both professionally and personally.
One piece of advice I’d offer to those at the beginning of their journey is to be kind to yourself. Starting and growing a business is a challenging endeavor, and success doesn’t happen overnight or even in just a few years. Some days will be tough, and you might feel like you’re not making progress or that you’re falling short of your goals. It’s essential to be able to forgive yourself for these setbacks. Remember, you’re only one person, and it often takes time and multiple attempts to achieve the desired outcomes for your business. Patience and self-compassion are key as you navigate the ups and downs of your creative path.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, which is quite common, I’ve found that using physical techniques to manage strong emotions works best for me. Deep breathing and movement, such as exercise, are excellent ways to alleviate that sense of overwhelm. Physical activity helps release built-up anxiety and can clear my mind effectively. Personally, I turn to exercises like biking, yoga, and weight training to manage these feelings. Additionally, I often try to incorporate meditation into my routine, though there are times when I’m too agitated to sit still. In those cases, walking meditations can be more effective, depending on my mood.
If, even after taking a step back from work, I’m still overwhelmed, I find it helpful to revisit my goals and prioritize tasks. As a small business owner, there always seems to be an endless list of things to do, but I’ve learned the importance of breaking them down into manageable weekly or daily tasks. This approach helps bring order to my thoughts and prevents the feeling of being swamped by the workload. Additionally, as a creative individual, play can be a helpful outlet, especially when creative blocks contribute to overwhelm. Engaging in creative activities just for fun can serve as a way to destress and spark new ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bleedingartstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyharringtonart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyharringtonart
Image Credits
All images taken by the artist, Ashley Harrington.
