Ashley Goldberg is an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. Outside of a few community college classes and the odd workshop here and there, Ashley is completely self-taught. She believes that what you’re happiest doing at five is what you will be happiest doing your entire life, and for Ashley that has been a true love for arts, crafts, creatures (both imaginary and real), and nature. Her artwork tends to be narrative and simple, but with a sophisticated color palette. Her body of work includes paintings, illustrations, pattern design, and portraiture.
When Ashley is not creating and drawing she can be found thrifting, drinking too much coffee, staying up too late, and working on home improvement projects on her Cape Cod revival.
JC—As an illustrator/artist, what’s your favorite medium to work with?
AG—Drawing will always be my first love. Give me a sketchbook, a pencil, an eraser, a pen, and some trashy TV, and I’m ready to go! Over the last few years I’ve come to love Photoshop and my Wacom tablet. Painting will always be more of a challenge for me—but in a good way.
JC—Why are you an artist?
AG—I can’t imagine having a day go by and not creating something. I think that is true for most people, not just “artists.” One of my best friends works in an office and doesn’t love her job, but it pays the bills. Every night she comes home and has to cook dinner for her family. It relaxes her. I personally would find it a chore, but that is her form of expression. It soothes and satisfies her creative needs.
JC—Do you ever need or want “outside validation”?
AG—It would be a lie to say I didn’t. Any job that has a self-appointed title—artist, writer, musician—is a tough spot to be in. I think we have all rolled our eyes at the girl or guy at the coffee shop who introduces herself or himself as an artist. I need proof that I am one—exterior proof. That is not to say that some of the most talented artists ever got that validation, but it is nice when it comes.
JC—Whose work are you most jealous of, and why?
AG—Oooohhh, that’s a tough one. There are so many to choose from! The first on my list is Yoshitomo Nara. I have drawn naive little girls or animals in girls’ clothes my whole life. And to discover that there was an amazing artist making a career out of this sort of blew me away. I think he has perfected that style. So, sometimes it’s hard knowing he already exists . . . no one (in my opinion) is going to do better.
JC—Where do you look for inspiration?
AG—It sounds like such a cliché, but inspiration really is everywhere. I always say the weather inspires me. I never feel as creative as on a chilly, overcast fall day. Or when you can feel spring in the air. I am lucky to live in a city that has so much nature. I can drive an hour to the ocean and look at rocks and driftwood, or take a walk and see trees I didn’t even know existed.
I also find the Internet so inspiring! But sometimes, once I go down that rabbit hole, I do more looking than working and have to shut down the technology for a while.
JC—Does the amount of amazing artwork that can be found online ever overwhelm you?
AG—Oh, of course! Especially if I am thinking about something and then, bam, there it is already completed, and done really well. Every day I discover someone infinitely more talented than me. It often makes me equal parts jealous and inspired, but no matter the ratio, jealousy and being inspired both fuel the desire to be better. Do more. That is the most important thing—to keep creating.
JC—Does your inner critic have anything to say?
AG—Ha! Why, yes, yes it does. Every day . . . every moment of every day, usually. I let it talk, but if I waited for perfection to create, I would never create. I like having the goal in the distance of believing I can be the artist I want to be. Even if I never reach that point, having a goal is what propels me forward. I have pieces that I do enjoy, but I don’t think
I will ever love my whole body of work. I don’t even know if that’s healthy. Where do you go from there? It’s finding the balance that keeps you motivated, but isn’t destructive.
JC—How do you find your way through a creative block?
AG—Magazines, the Internet, thrift stores—anywhere that I can overwhelm myself with visual stimulation. Then I’ll see something—a color, a pattern, someone’s home—and it will get the wheels turning. And when all else fails: coffee, coffee, and more coffee. The ritual of brewing it at home puts me in work mode.
If it is a bigger creative block, I try to ride it out and just let it happen. I will still draw, but most pieces will end up in the trash, and that’s OK. I think some of the biggest bursts of creativity and artistic growth I’ve had are usually preceded by a big creative block.
I think some of the biggest bursts of creativity and artistic growth I’ve had are usually preceded by a big creative block.
