Artists of La Crosse: Ashton E. Hall
The purpose of this project is to bring awareness to the art community, what artists stand for, their purpose, their mediums, about the artist themselves and most importantly to connect everyone to one another.
For my project, I will be creating a piece dedicated to the artist and their art. It is a piece that integrates the two together; The process of this involves me taking a portrait of the artist and then creating a double exposure of the artist with their art
In conclusion ~ Make art of the artist and their art
It's like art to the third power or art inception!
This is a fun and interactive way for other artists to meet one another or learn about eachother. I will be sharing a new artist weekly so please make sure to check back in to see the new featured artist.
as always~ Enjoy!
This Week's Feature
Artist's Name: Ashton E. Hall
Medium(s): Oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas & paper, watercolor, oil pastel on MDF
Website: ashtonhallartist.com
IG: Ashtonhallartist
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.E.H.StudioGallery/
ashtonhallartist@yahoo
When did you notice that you had a love for art?
Very early on and I never stopped.
The first time I painted something I was 6. I painted using various shapes of sponges (stars, hearts, squares, etc) I thought the immediacy of paint was incredible and I couldn’t get enough. I noticed when I sang, acted, worked with clay, chalk, pen drawings etcetera my classmates and teachers alike would marvel. It seems I had the Midas touch as it were.
Are you originally from La Crosse? If not, where are you from and how long have you lived here?
Yes and No. I grew up in the small town of Bangor 20 minutes from La Crosse. Later in my teens my family moved to La Crosse.
Growing up what were your major influences as an artist? Other artists, Life events?
My influences as an artist would change as I changed.
I grew up in a quiet suburb away from busy traffic and noise.
I was safe to utilize my imagination and I was also bored so I did use it most days to its fullest potential. Many times I would stay home practicing my drawing skills as a child and teen and from books I checked out at the library. I became proficient in painting impressionism and whatever stood before me. Perfecting En plein Air and Still-life impressionism techniques in my spare time helped me appreciate the dive into more mature mediums and styles.
Growing up I loved reading about famous female artists. I had to have watched the film Artemisia over and over. Artemisia Gentileschi was a young advanced oil artist that really inspired me to try my hand at oils. I remember going to different libraries and checking out every book on oil paint. I marveled before her paintings in person when I was 18 at the Art institute of Chicago. This is what spurred my self-taught artist caree.
What message do you want to share about your art?
My work is ever changing and I am always on the horizon of a new idea about to be birthed. I reinvent myself regularly. Now, I blend influences of my daily environment along with my imagination. My works are the results of my findings there. I can't stop creating. I have tried to take time away from doing so but each time my fingers crave the feel of a brush intertwined between them. When you view each of my works, know that it is a snippet of my mind & imagination at that time.
What do you stand for as an artist?
I stand for the learning and investigating my inner truths. My intention is the upliftment vibrationally of myself and hopefully that of others. I have been told on different occasions that I have inspired someone and that would be my overall intention. To render a thought someone hasn't previously explored. I like to take the viewers of my works someplace new although.. I know that a piece can set a tone and an influence and I try to navigate that carefully for I believe thought and emotion are all powerful.
I am cognizant of the mood I can set.
What is your process or headspace you get into while creating new pieces?
I like to paint from a place where my intuition can take the driver's seat, in the back seat there sits technical skill and color theory.
What does the piece you chose for this project mean to you? Why did you choose this one vs other pieces you have created?
Currently I am very content in my life. I have been painting everyday items, I much appreciate the now moment.
I have been dipping back into my passion for Acrylic Still-life painting. Like an old master my head is cocked to the side with one eye closed with one elbow locked, my arm straight out holding a pencil as my ruler. The hue and transparencies I can capture with acrylic are soo delicious I almost want to eat them!
