Meet Ashton Wandler

We were lucky to catch up with Ashton Wandler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashton , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Hmm, how did I overcome imposter syndrome? Well if I’m being honest here I haven’t. I think no matter how far you come in life you will always have a little piece of you saying you’ve somehow taken the easy way out and/or are not enough to be doing what you’re doing, but do I listen to it? No. Overcoming imposter syndrome is more like ignoring it even if it persists to continue toward your goals.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Ashton, and I’m an artist who balances a being a wife and a mother to two wonderful girls, a 4-year-old and a 9-month-old, all while trying to fill my cup with painting. My artistic journey is deeply intertwined with my family life, and I draw a lot of inspiration from the them.

What excites me the most about my work is the ability to express emotions and stories through my art. I specialize in creating pet portraits, which allow me to capture the unique personalities and bonds people share with their furry friends. Additionally, I have a deep love for flowers, and they frequently appear in my work, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to my pieces.

Recently, I completed a large outdoor mural, which has been one of my most ambitious projects to date. This mural was a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and test my own abilities. Another significant piece in my collection is my abstract heartbeat painting, which represents the rhythm and pulse of life, capturing the essence of human emotion in a unique and vibrant way.

Currently, I’m focusing on life as a mom and taking commissions as they come, enjoying life and finding every opportunity to play in the paint.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I think the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were:

1. Practicing every day: Even if it’s just a small doodle, make sure you’re creating daily. Blocking out time each day to work on your art helps build consistency and improves your skills over time.

2. Continuing education: Constantly learning new tricks and tips can make your art go from mid to max with just a few tweaks. Whether it’s through YouTube tutorials or other resources, always seek to expand your knowledge in the skill you’re working towards.

3. Persevering through negativity: The world needs more artists, and there is room for everyone. It’s important to push through negative thoughts and haters. Believe in your work and keep creating despite any criticism you may face.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to commit to daily practice, continuously seek out new learning opportunities, and stay resilient in the face of negativity. These habits will help you grow as an artist and keep you motivated on your creative path.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been my work with murals. Previously, my work was mostly on wood planks, canvas, and mixed media paper – nothing bigger than 48”x48”. This past year, I’ve had the opportunity to create a 30ft outdoor mural on concrete for a residential home. Additionally, I began painting windows for businesses around my local town and even worked on an indoor mural for our own personal treehouse.

These experiences have come with many challenges, such as scaling to size and figuring out the right materials to ensure my paint stays put and what primers:sealants to use on a variety of surfaces. Despite these obstacles, I feel stronger in my abilities as an artist because of them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ashsartco
• Facebook: AshsArtCo
• Other: Tiktok – AshsArtCo

Image Credits

Ashton Wandler