Interview
Ashley Arce
Ashley Arce is a sketch artist based in Miami, FL inspired by the beauty of unique concepts. Since she was five years old, her sketches and work celebrate color, details, form, and has evolved since. Her work meditates on the flow variation of shadow techniques, light and atmosphere.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started my journey in the art world the moment I got my hands for the first time on a pencil, just drawing anything I saw. For me, it’s always been fascinating to basically tap into a different world. Where your surroundings become silent, pitch black. Suddenly, my inner artistic creative mantra lights up and activates. Throughout the years, as I grew up, the creative being in me always shined. In school, I would always be doodling, drawing getting caught in class. The more I sketched, the more I developed new techniques and went out of my comfort zone through my adulthood with the newly developed techniques. Art has always been a part of me and will always be the greatest gift God has given me.”
What inspires you?
“The inspiration to begin any sketch for me, just comes to me randomly to be honest. I can be reading, watching tv, listening to music and the mental picture of a potential piece comes to me. I typically create a mock outline to have a visual of what I mentally pictured to draw next. I guess you can say I’m always actively thinking of what can I create next. The next best thing in the works.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes that I pursue throughout my work is not necessarily a specific one. I enjoy challenging myself in creating different pieces, learning, and using different techniques. I feel like challenging myself throughout the years has made me a better artist and has helped me grow. In mastering challenges it’s helped level up my confidence as an artist. It was comfortable enough to compete in competitions that were worldwide and nationwide. Each piece has its own message but the general one would be think outside the box it will help you grow.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work to be non traditional, colorful, detailed, and eye catching. The signature of my work is in the details. In my artistic perspective it all in the details. The details for me, is what makes the art stand out and is what brings it to life. I say this simply because I document from the moment I start my pieces till the finishing touches. It’s rewarding to see the process altogether and how the details I would add more and more of molded the sketch into a true masterpiece. It truly makes me fall in love more with my work and value so much the process as well.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Van Gogh inspires me with his unique perspective on how he sees the world and his surroundings. Van Gogh always challenged himself which is something I resonated much with as an artist. He went past his own personal and mental imperfections, put them aside and just tapped into that beautiful artistic genius.”
“I enjoy challenging myself in creating different pieces, learning, and using different techniques. I feel like challenging myself throughout the years has made me a better artist and has helped me grow.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process consists of lots of HB, charcoal, colored pencils, eraser just scattered across my desk. I start with a simple outline, or sometimes just one line and I go from there. I always for some reason like to start in the middle of the blank page. I guess I enjoy growing the process from the center and just spread it. I do look at concepts and ideas from time to time on Pinterest or Google and I create from there as well. I do document every art piece I do, just simply because I enjoy seeing the process afterward. When I’m in the process of creating, I don’t really realize the process since I’m so focused and tapped in artistically.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think an artistic role in society is to simply inspire others to embrace their uniqueness in a visual way. Giving others the opportunity to see an artists mentality in a different light and sharing how beautiful and powerful creativity can be. Art is growing in so many ways started with just pencil and paper to digital art worldwide. I’m looking to see the future development of art as it continues to progress and evolve.”
Instagram: @Artflowbyash
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/ashleyarcexx
