It's Meety Monday time!
This week's artist interview is with Ashley from Pincone Grove! Ashley is a fellow Storenvy shop owner, who also happens to be a nature lover!
Hello, I'm Ashley, artist and creator of field journals at Pinecone Grove. This week's artist interview is with Ashley from Pincone Grove! Ashley is a fellow Storenvy shop owner, who also happens to be a nature lover!
I'm a mother to a wonderful little boy who is constantly keeping me on my toes. During naps and breaks via Grandma and Grandpa I write, draw, paint, photograph, and draft.
How did you get started doing this thing you do?
With intelligence, creativity, and imagination far advanced for his age I quickly discovered I had to give my son a little direction.
Keep in mind he is only three years old. One day I heard him counting. It took me a few moments to realize he was counting in Spanish. Noone taught him how. He taught himself to count 1-30 in Spanish using a spanish flashcard app on my phone.
So, Monday - Thursday we spend part of the day having our own version of homeschool. We have Spelling, Writing, Reading, Math, Computer, and Weather & Calendar lessons. On top of that I make sure he has time to paint, draw, playdough sculpt, play on my piano keyboard, and whatever other creative thing he decides to do.
Our favorite part though is going outside. Whenever the weather is good enough to go outside, we walk the nature trails around our house. I always try to bring along a pencil and paper so we can draw, scribble and write about what we see. This turned into a mother and son field journal and part of our homeschool learning. Whenever we find a new creature or plant he hasn't noticed before, we study it, follow it, listen to it, and try to record everything about it. When it's time to go inside we set the journal aside for after lunch. Then we open the computer and research what we saw.
Our field journal is my favorite teaching tool with him. It's fun, we learn something new, and the best part is, as he gets older he can still learn from them. We both can.
This is where I got the idea to sell field journal entries as art. The rest of the store fits the autumn woodland theme allowing for some flexibility on the products I sell including photography and crafted items.
What's your workplace like?
My workplace is everywhere. Nature trails, kitchen island, family room table, living room floor, wherever my son and I feel like creating. My father however did add onto the house so I have a nice big closet with more room than I need for clothes. So, naturally, I designed it so that it will include a private workspace. It will have a tilt desk, cubbies, paper slots, and more for me to work in when my little prince is napping or spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm really looking forward to working there once it is finished.
What materials and tools do you use to make your art?
Way too many to list and not enough to satisfy my creativity. My current favorite is my acrylics mixed with water to make my own watercolors. Eventually I'll buy a watercolor set, probably.
Where do you find your inspiration too create?
The flora and fauna I see while walking on the trails with my son. We collect pinecones, acorns, and other autumny things along the way. With autumn being my favorite season and our home being surrounded by forest, inspiration is everywhere I look.
That takes care of the serious questions! Now for some sillier ones...
What color are your bedroom walls?
Wisteria and Lilac with black accents.
What animal do you fear?
Anything with a stinger. Something about my scent makes stinging insects believe I'm a flower... Until they land on me and sting me. Ouch.
If you could be a wild animal for a day, what animal would it be?
An eagle. I've always wanted to fly and I wouldn't want anything to eat me while I'm enjoying my day as a bird.
What kind of pet person are you?
I don't have a type really. I've had birds, fish, cats, dogs, and horses. No rodents though, sadly I'm allergic to even the cute ones.
Jeans, Khakis, or skirts?
Jeans and a tank top. Then I layer accordingly.
If you could live in a fictional world, which one would it be?
To this day my favorite book series is by an indie author, Brian S. Pratt. I'd love to live in the world of The Morcyth Saga and its sequel series Travail of The Dark Mage. Mostly because I want to marry the main character. Sorry ladies, he's mine. And secondly I'd love to be able to do magic like that.
If you could go back in time and witness one historical event, what would it be? and why?
Not much of a history person so... I would go back in time to watch Thomas Kincade paint. He's my favorite artist and I think it would have been awesome to see his creative process.
If you have a box of popsicles which color do you eat first? Why?
Probably something watermelon or orange flavored.
Sock, sock, shoe shoe or sock, shoe, sock shoe?
Sock, sock, shoe, shoe
What's one of your guilty pleasures?
Getting my hair cut. I rarely go to a hair salon. My hair is litterally down to my hips at the moment. So when I get my hair cut I usually get at least four inches cut off. It's a great feeling losing some weight off your shoulders by a simple hair cut. I just feel lighter and fresh. And the shampoo massage certainly helps.
Do you have any superstitions?
Nothing I take seriously and only the lucky ones when I do. Like four leaf clovers. So lucky! Why make life more stressful with negative omens?
What's your favorite snack while working?
Does tea count?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Pretty content anywhere as long as it is not in the city. I like quieter surroundings.
If stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want to bring?
First aid kit, a mesh net, and pictures of my family.
Be sure to shop by Ashley's Shop Pinecone Grove and blog and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Keep in mind he is only three years old. One day I heard him counting. It took me a few moments to realize he was counting in Spanish. Noone taught him how. He taught himself to count 1-30 in Spanish using a spanish flashcard app on my phone.
So, Monday - Thursday we spend part of the day having our own version of homeschool. We have Spelling, Writing, Reading, Math, Computer, and Weather & Calendar lessons. On top of that I make sure he has time to paint, draw, playdough sculpt, play on my piano keyboard, and whatever other creative thing he decides to do.
Our favorite part though is going outside. Whenever the weather is good enough to go outside, we walk the nature trails around our house. I always try to bring along a pencil and paper so we can draw, scribble and write about what we see. This turned into a mother and son field journal and part of our homeschool learning. Whenever we find a new creature or plant he hasn't noticed before, we study it, follow it, listen to it, and try to record everything about it. When it's time to go inside we set the journal aside for after lunch. Then we open the computer and research what we saw.
Our field journal is my favorite teaching tool with him. It's fun, we learn something new, and the best part is, as he gets older he can still learn from them. We both can.
This is where I got the idea to sell field journal entries as art. The rest of the store fits the autumn woodland theme allowing for some flexibility on the products I sell including photography and crafted items.
My workplace is everywhere. Nature trails, kitchen island, family room table, living room floor, wherever my son and I feel like creating. My father however did add onto the house so I have a nice big closet with more room than I need for clothes. So, naturally, I designed it so that it will include a private workspace. It will have a tilt desk, cubbies, paper slots, and more for me to work in when my little prince is napping or spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm really looking forward to working there once it is finished.
What materials and tools do you use to make your art?
Way too many to list and not enough to satisfy my creativity. My current favorite is my acrylics mixed with water to make my own watercolors. Eventually I'll buy a watercolor set, probably.
 |
| Pinecone Grove - Pine Tree Study: Field Journal |
The flora and fauna I see while walking on the trails with my son. We collect pinecones, acorns, and other autumny things along the way. With autumn being my favorite season and our home being surrounded by forest, inspiration is everywhere I look.
That takes care of the serious questions! Now for some sillier ones...
What color are your bedroom walls?
Wisteria and Lilac with black accents.
What animal do you fear?
Anything with a stinger. Something about my scent makes stinging insects believe I'm a flower... Until they land on me and sting me. Ouch.
 |
| Pinecone Grove - Eastern Screech-Owl Study: Field Journal |
An eagle. I've always wanted to fly and I wouldn't want anything to eat me while I'm enjoying my day as a bird.
What kind of pet person are you?
I don't have a type really. I've had birds, fish, cats, dogs, and horses. No rodents though, sadly I'm allergic to even the cute ones.
Jeans, Khakis, or skirts?
Jeans and a tank top. Then I layer accordingly.
If you could live in a fictional world, which one would it be?
To this day my favorite book series is by an indie author, Brian S. Pratt. I'd love to live in the world of The Morcyth Saga and its sequel series Travail of The Dark Mage. Mostly because I want to marry the main character. Sorry ladies, he's mine. And secondly I'd love to be able to do magic like that.
If you could go back in time and witness one historical event, what would it be? and why?
Not much of a history person so... I would go back in time to watch Thomas Kincade paint. He's my favorite artist and I think it would have been awesome to see his creative process.
 |
| Pine Cone Grove - Sepia Tulip Seedlings Prints |
Probably something watermelon or orange flavored.
Sock, sock, shoe shoe or sock, shoe, sock shoe?
Sock, sock, shoe, shoe
What's one of your guilty pleasures?
Getting my hair cut. I rarely go to a hair salon. My hair is litterally down to my hips at the moment. So when I get my hair cut I usually get at least four inches cut off. It's a great feeling losing some weight off your shoulders by a simple hair cut. I just feel lighter and fresh. And the shampoo massage certainly helps.
Do you have any superstitions?
Nothing I take seriously and only the lucky ones when I do. Like four leaf clovers. So lucky! Why make life more stressful with negative omens?
 |
| Pinecone Grove - Eastern Cottontail Study: Field Journal |
Does tea count?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Pretty content anywhere as long as it is not in the city. I like quieter surroundings.
If stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want to bring?
First aid kit, a mesh net, and pictures of my family.
Be sure to shop by Ashley's Shop Pinecone Grove and blog and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.