Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ashley Barlow - Collage and Graphic Design


Ashley Barlow

Name: Ashley Barlow
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: ashleybarlowart@gmail.com
Website:www.ashleybarlow.com & www.cargocollective/ashleybarlow
Facebook page: Ashley Barlow Art
Twitter: @perched_bird
Etsy Page: etsy.com/ashleybarlow
Bio~
I am a Minneapolis born studio artist and graphic designer and my work tends to be colorful, playful, with a hint of vintage. 
 
In my studio I spend an inappropriate amount of time rifling through old magazine and books (my affinity for 1930-50s was born inside of my wee heart at a wee age).  In creating a collage piece, often times the image I'm looking for is already in my hear and it's just a matter of hunting for it. Other times I stumble upon a gem that pops out of the page. My process is both instinctual and a playful experiment.
  
Outside of my studio, in front of the computer, my process is much the same, playful and experimental but my options are more plentiful. I love to create pieces of art on the screen but also helping others express themselves in the practicality of a logo, packaging design, or invite. Check out both of my portfolios and contact me if interest in any type of custom piece. 



Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I mainly do collage art. It's colorful, playful, usually a little retro, and multi-medium. I tend to stick to images found from 1930-50s put against an acrylic painting and like to mix in other little bits I find when hunting for materials in antique stores and flea markets. My art is textured, imperfect, and can lean on the quirky side. I am also a graphic designer, only a year-old adventure for me. I do freelance work and hope to work more of my design skills into my studio art and vice versa.


How did you decide to become an artist?
I didn't, it fell on me. I graduated from undergrad with a masters in religion. With 4 studio art classes under my belt, I fell in love with collage through my print making class. I was the only one in the class adding fabric and thread to my images and honestly it was just the best way for me to communicate myself creatively. I couldn't just draw what I had in mind, I needed a variety of tools. After college friends here and there would ask for art and eventually I built up enough confidence to make it official. It was then that I created a site, got some cards, and pursued shows.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist? 
Keep trying new things and immerse yourself in art and design as much as possible.



Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art.  How do you sell your work?  How do you market yourself? 
I do sell my work. Most of my custom work has come from my network/community and has dominoed from there. People's friends tell them about my art, so word of mouth is huge. I always post new stuff on instagram, facbeook, twitter, so people are constantly aware of what I'm working on and how my style is evolving. Custom work is pretty steady, 1-3 pieces a month.

My etsy store is just my warehouse, rarely does business happen from there but it's where I can point people to who want to purchase something when I'm talking to them.

My biggest sales come from art fairs in the summer where I get more spontaneous purchases and doing smaller sales in galleries, etc.


Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy? 
Britta Lynn Kauppila, jewelry artist. http://brittalynndesign.com/rings.html

E.kate Designs, jewelry artist

Florafauna Design Firm

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
Oooh, well I will say I wish I got out to more shows.

MCAD art sale, this thing is ridiculously cool. Only once a year and the largest art show in the world. thousands of pieces by current MCAD students and up to 5 years worth of alumni. All shapes and sizes and nothing over $1000. Northrup King building on first thursdays. You can meet the artist and see their studios and even buy things in most cases. This is wehre I discovered Britta's jewelry. Spyhouse on Nicollet. Always has great local art hanging up, always changing, and the drinks aren't bad either.
Gallery 360, smaller gallery/shop with great artist rotating through. I haven't been in awhile and need to visit.


In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.com, where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise? 
The Design Files. http://thedesignfiles.net/
The Jealous Curator http://www.thejealouscurator.com/
Graphic Bird Watching http://www.graphicbirdwatching.com/

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
In March I'm doing a Group Exhibit at Translations Art Gallery in Canton Ohio. Dr.Seuess themed to celebrate the Author's bday, Suess-talation, set to open on March 1st, 2013 and close on March 30th, 2013. 

I also will be in the Uptown Art Fair 2013! Can't wait. I was in it last year and won the Top 10% award which gives me an automatic placement in next year's show. I LOVE the space, crowd, and energy this fair brings and can't wait to be a part of it next year.

Ashley Barlow


3 comments:

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