imagine that

Moving the Blog

2005-04-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Onwards and upwards....a blogging we will go. I discovered blogging and started my blog here. But, after some searching and learning a bit more about blogging, I have decided to move my Blog.

My new website is: Ashley Long Fine Art and within it , the new Blog. I also have one at MSN spaces - http://msn.spaces.com/members/ajlfineart

Come on over, I'll see you there!!

Inner Depths

2005-01-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

Inner Depths

Postcards From A Summer Girl

2005-01-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

Postcards From A Summer Girl

Believing.....

2005-01-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

Presently, I'm in Ohio. Its cold, gray and icy outside. This is a mini vacation with my kids to visit my sister and her family.
It has been a nice diversion from the routine I had been in of 'go to work, come home and continue getting ready for the holidays'.
It has also allowed me to think more about what I want for myself this year. And how I wish for my art to continue to grow.
One of the things that has stood out for me the most recently is how 'what other people think' can sabatoge our dreams.
I read 'The Artists Way' by Julie Cameron years ago. That book is what freed me to begin writing and I learned how to not allow those who were unsupportive to affect my writing.
I have been amazed over the years at how people who also call themselves artists like to keep others from succeeding.
I know for me that what transpired to help me fly out of the starting blocks with my art was to finally start ignoring those who were in the field who I thought would actually be the ones to help me get going.
I learned to listen to my own voice and know that if something inspired me, it would also inspire someone else...but it didn't have to be something that everyone loved.
I learned another very important thing...the whole line that 98% of artists don't make it...is pure bullshit.
It's the belief in that line that has created the hardships of this work. Choose not to believe in that line of thinking and you change your reality.
Remember that their reality does not have to be your reality!
Believe in yourself, surround yourself with those who allow you to be you and watch what happens!
Your passions and desires are for a reason, don't let anyone tell you that it can't work out for you!
Onward we go...those of us who love the creative world. Its what evolution is all about. Our desires and need to keep creating transforms our world and makes it a better place for those after us!
Here is to : More passion, more belief in it happening and to a life w/o the naysayers ;)

Welcome 2005......

2004-12-31T18:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been several months since my last posting on here! My life took a little detour. I went from full time work in the studio to part time there and full time helping a business get back on track.
Life has indeed been a bit crazy lately!
But, this post is about bidding farewell to 2004, and embacing 2005.
2004 was a very challenging year. I stood in front of the door of death and contemplated if I wanted to go on. That in itself makes one grow and change.
I jumped across many stones on the path to where I am now and I have to say that I am very grateful for each and every stone. I found my passion and with each venture to getting here I learned more about myself and was able to tweak things until I found that cozy warm spot to settle into.
As I sit here now with 2005 a few hours away, I feel very happy and content. I am indeed grateful for all that transpired this year to allow me to be me.
I am thankful to a wonderful husband that gave me the space to heal, to regain strength and to pursue a life long dream.
I am thankful and appreciative to a loving sister who allowed me to bounce ideas off of her, to be a positive sounding board and to keep me in constant laughter over life's little mishaps.
I am thankful to my very talented and creative Father, who has truly inspired me to keep doing the things that make me happy and to 'just believe'. This is a man who took up fiddling as a hobby and is now a songwriter and soon to be published poet.
I am thankful to my three amazing children who also inspire me. Time spent with them is a walk through paradise!
I am also thankful to my friend Sherry who came a long way to spend time with me this summer and who is a fan of my art. Thanks for your support my friend!
Thanks to those who purchased my work and supported me this year as I took that leap into the ever so fickle world of Art!!

So, here I sit...tummy full from a superb dinner lovingly created by my husband, champagne in hand, and a heart full of appreciation, joy and the thrill of the coming year!

CHEERS!!!

Coffee Anyone?

2004-09-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

It's another day of limited activity due to the flooding and water shut off. So, I have been tweeking my Blog.
I am putting up one of my decoratve art pieces that is themed around that 'oh so wonderful' elixer called coffee!

I have another one regarding espresso, which I should have done soon.

I could really use a cup of coffee right now, but have to wait for water again. It's amazing how much we take for granted, and also how such little things can affect our day.
All I want right now is a shower and a hot cup of coffee!!
So, if you love coffee and would like to experience the freshest coffee on the market today, shipped directly to your front door, click on the title above. Enjoy!!

2004-09-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Coffee Anyone? 24x24 Mixed Media/Collage

Made it through the Opening!

2004-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Whew! The opening went well, my son's band played and as always were great. We served Sangria's and yummies that hubby fixed. We danced, ate, talked and got goffy near the end. :)
I am still waiting on some pics from it to post here.
We stayed up partying till 3am afterwards, and I was up till 3am on Sunday night. So, needless to say, I crashed big time come Monday and Tuesday.
A HUGE THANK YOU to those who helped, came by and wished me well!
Then....Hurricane Frances decided to make a big show and cruise on up to WNC and pour her fury on us. We have had major flooding and outages.
I am SO grateful that we live on the side of the mountain!
Without water today, makes painting a bit hard. As well as cleaning....I think being without water is harder than any other utility we take for granted.
But, the rain has simmered down and the sun is even peeking through now and then. It's nice and cool and I've enjoyed just chillin today.

2004-09-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

"Daydreams" 24x36" Acrylic Mixed media

2004-09-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

"Passage of Time" 24"x36" Acrylic / Mixed Media

The weekend

2004-08-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well.....we didn't end up going to the 70's party.
Hubby got home late and was tired, so we took a little snooze (is that a sign of being over 40??) and then got ready and headed downtown.
We ate at Mommacitas, then walked over to the Goombay Festival (there is always something great going on downtown Asheville).
Just walking through it was great, the carribean music, the smell of various mouth watering foods and the eye candy of the art and crafts.
We then headed over to Pritchard park and caught the last 15 minutes of the drumming that goes on there every other friday night.
Some friday night I want to get there early and be there for the whole thing. It is so intense with energy and emotion. There are probably 20 various drummers and everyone dances to the rhythm. I always cry while there. There is somethng so primordial, and when that grand it gets right to your core.
Next, we walked to Old Europe, our favorite place for coffee and dessert. Step into Old Europe and you are in a cafe in Paris. The lights are very low, illumination comes from the huge case of melt in your mouth desserts. Fabulous music plays and it's fun to people watch and just be with whoever you are sharing that moment with.
A nice walk back to the car and we have enjoyed a great, simple evening. It was a much needed break.
That night, I didn't sleep much, instead had such clear insights to what I was doing with several pieces.
I got up Saturday morning ready to rock and roll. I worked until 4am Sunday and got a lot done. :)
I thank the U for the inspiration it provides. I know that when I turn off that 'thinking' me and go absorb the wonderful things that surround us in this thing called 'life' that the flow comes back, I'm connected and I can create.

It's FRIDAY!

2004-08-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

YIPPPPEEEE, its FRIDAY!!
I don't know why I'm so excited today...maybe because the creative chaos around here is affecting me or maybe because tonight I get to get out of the studio, put my dancin shoes on and go to a 70's party at Tressa's!!! (click on title above to go check out Tressa's)
I have 4 more days left to get my pieces done....my house is a mess, we have eaten out every night this week, my studio...oh my....is a TOTAL mess...and I LOVE IT!!!
So, I'm going to go put on some 70's music and get back to my thang....maybe I'll get a few pics at Tressa's tonight. :)

A revelation

2004-08-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

Had a good productive day yesterday, got one piece completely done.
One piece is giving me headaches and I was up most of the night wracking my brain trying to figure out where its going. Now, I know that using the left brain to figure out art (other then steps of a technique) is pointless....so, I finally dropped it and asked that I have the answer this morning.
Well, it came to me!
Bback in my days of writing, I was very observant. I watched people, I 'felt' places, I listened to dialog and I used what I observed in my writing.
I think the probs I've been having in my pieces is that I'm not emphasizing a subject or feeling or whatever...my voice isn't coming out.
Switching gears from Decorative art and Home Decor to this has made me think of images that 'look cool' not images that 'speak'.
So, I see now that I need to go back to that mode of observation and picking up on scenes and feelings of what is around me...but this time, I'm converting it to a visual instead of verbage.
It is true...when you let go and ask for the answer...it comes :)

Getting ready....my first show

2004-08-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

I usually sit down at the computer while between 'layers' and waiting for something to dry before I can proceed. This is when I will post here.
This is all just for fun, a way to get out of my head and into the U, those crazy random thoughts that come up while painting.
I'm getting ready for my first show.
I only have a week and a half now....I'm getting excited!
I've been working on these pieces now for about 8 weeks. I've made mistakes that led to a cool technique. I've been blocked, frustrated and surprised.
I dream about colors and patterns now....just wish my memory was better!
So...forward and onward...we shall see.....how things go!

2004-08-22T15:46:00.000-07:00