Ashley Alexandra is an emerging contemporary abstract mixed media artist that resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Caught up in decades of education and the professional career grind, the pandemic and the inception of motherhood brought on a newfound love for embracing her passion for creativity. Ashley spends a lot of her time outdoors and her artwork showcases the inspiration she draws from the natural landscapes that she’s been fortunate to experience. Ashley’s art has been selected for exhibitions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Working primarily in mixed media acrylics on canvas, Ashley’s process involves layering upon layering of textures and colours. Ashley’s artwork is largely inspired by natural landscapes. In her abstraction, the subjects lose all form, abandoning themselves to immateriality taking the viewer on a journey of her inner landscape. Ashley’s artwork doesn’t always have a narrative or tell a story, but it does find its basis in abstracted versions of her memory in which a narrative has laid the foundation. Mixed media inspires Ashley to lean into creativity with the freedom to trust her intuition in creating something real from something that was purely ethereal.
What ‘hood are you in?
Aspen in the S.W. of Calgary. I grew up in Ontario and after I finished my undergraduate degree I moved to the one city I had always dreamed to live in, Calgary.
As a new mother, I have embraced a studio in my home in Aspen. Although it may lack the natural light of the outdoors, I have filled its bare walls with artwork to fuel my soul. When I am painting, my studio takes on a life of its own – I like to think that the clutter that I create represents the unfinished business I have on the canvas. It goes without saying, that when I finish a painting, my ritual is to restore my studio back to its clean, uncluttered state – ready to take on a fresh, new challenge.
What do you do?
Painting, primarily in mixed media acrylics on canvas. Although I do some commissions for special collectors, I primarily work on creating new collections from inspiration I find in nature. I love using abstraction to lean into creativity with the freedom to trust my intuition in creating something real from something that was purely ethereal.
What are you currently working on?
A commission for a special collector, a couple of big matching diptychs inspired by the landscapes in Tofino, British Colombia.
Where can we find your work?
Currently, Ashley’s work can be viewed on Instagram and can be purchased on her website, and also at the Ruberto Ostberg Gallery in Calgary, Alberta.
