Bridget Ashley is a hyper- and semi-realism digital painter and animator based in Florida
You may have noticed that the formula has recently changed for our Q&A, and this particular artist has unveiled a lot of depth / meaningful causes surrounding her passion.
Bridget Ashley is a digital painter and animator based on Florida’s Space Coast, working predominantly in the styles of hyper- and semi-realism. She does not use AI in her work.
Over the past nine years, Bridget has had the pleasure of collaborating with a community of amazing clients, including San Francisco Brewing, Tell Me More NYC, Adopt a Vet Dental, and Miss Design Berry, Inc. Bridget’s paintings have also been selected for inclusion in both national and international exhibitions, earning high placements and awards.
More personally, Bridget is a domestic violence survivor, and in her free time she continues to build her series of paintings titled "Exploring Trauma Healing Through Art" that aims to shed light on the prevalence of DV in our communities.
What would you say is your best piece of work / collaboration to date, and why?
I think my best piece of work is a painting titled "Handling Loneliness," which I painted during the COVID quarantine. There is a surplus of uncomfortable emotions that emanate from that work, many of which we were all feeling during the initial onset of COVID. That painting actually became the catalyst for a series of paintings I continue to work on to this day!
Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?
Playing with my five year old is a constant source of inspiration. It's amazing how children can so easily demonstrate new ways of thinking and looking at things to adults and each other! My family and I also try to visit the beach at least once a week, and the sand and salt water offer a great respite from stress or blockers of creativity. When my toes are sandy, I find that I can more easily reset my mind and find new ideas for paintings and a rebirth of inspiration.
Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.
I am domestic violence survivor and am extremely passionate about creating paintings that can help raise awareness about this silent and prevalent pandemic.
What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators?
Something you feel is unique to you. I work mostly within hyper and semi-realism, but my degree is in animation. This has allowed me to combine my realistic paintings with illustrative 2d animated movement, to create looping gifs. It's really fun to be able to paint works in the style of realism, only to then add additional layers of 2d animation and/or motion graphics, to make the piece even more hypnotic.
If you have done paid commissions prior to joining the agency, what would you say is something that clients repeatedly come to you for (up to now)?
Early on in my career, I was mostly commissioned for animated works that were used as infographics and gifs. I was able to also create some fun films for non-profits and agencies as well! But as I progressed further as an artist, I filled my portfolio with more of my realism work and have since been commissioned mostly for realistic portraits. How would you describe your style? I am a digital painter working in the styles of hyper and semi-realism. •
Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it - something that connects to something meaningful to you.
I am obsessed with portraits. I feel so honoured to paint people because it is an intimate process. You can tell a lot through a person's eyes, wrinkles, smile lines, and other details. More so than capturing all that is being blessed with the opportunity to paint a person or people standing for a cause they believe in. It takes so much strength to stand up and share your beliefs, especially if the current of society is flowing against this or remains unaware of the cause in which you fight. But overall, I absolutely love painting the faces and stories of people!
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I am working on a series of paintings titled "Exploring Trauma Healing Through Art." As a domestic violence survivor, art has offered me a way to expel feelings I experience with PTSD that I just don't have the words to express. I have been doing this along with various forms of therapy that has also helped me further this series, including sand, talk, and EMDR. Down the line when I feel the paintings are brighter and I am more complete in my healing process, I plan on doing a solo exhibition with all of the works. As of now, however, I continue to add new pieces, and the series in full can be viewed here
Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?
If I could illustrate a book related to a real life person, I would choose to write about and illustrate the heroic acts of my great-grandmother. She survived refugee camps as an Estonian during WWII, until escaping through sponsorship. My family would not be here today without the decisions she made then. I have her passport photo framed and sitting above my desk. The strength and dignity she held throughout her life in its entirety are so inspiring to me. One day I would love to tell the world of her bravery.
If you’d like more info, please contact: [email protected]
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