As one of 10 home schooled children growing up on a horse farm, there was lots of "scope for the imagination." From sketching my siblings, plants, trees, to our horses, I always had a pencil and scrape of paper at the ready!  My homework was always covered in doodles and sketches, often becoming lost in my own little world. "Take your head out of the clouds Ashley!" my mother would say with a smile on her face.  Unfortunately, I never have quite been able to, I have always been a dreamer! But my parents encouraged and supported my interest in art from that early age and I've never stopped learning and enjoying it since then.
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I started more formal training in watercolor and portrait art with various local artists when I was in high school.  While taking formal degree work at college in graphic design, which I ultimately majored in, I was introduced to a local master artist in quill and ink where I developed my niche for black and white art. I discovered I love working with charcoal and doing portraits in pencil. In time, I also learned that my love for classic literature/movies and the Fantasy genre greatly influenced my style as well. I would pour over (and hoard) illustrated copies of books such as The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Fantasy in general continues to inspire and motivate me to this day as an artist who loves all things mythical and fantastical.  From The Wardrobe to the rolling green hills of Hobbiton my art is focused on beautiful memories, childhood nostalgia, and classic fantasy. 

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My passion for art has given me many joys throughout my life, the most special of which was meeting my husband and fellow nerd Samuele! It was through our mutual passion for art and history that we connected.  One of our first dates was at an art museum. Three years later became engaged there! Our sixth wedding anniversary is coming up in May, and we are all settled into our new house with our two cats Yoshi & Kitana and also our newest member our house rabbit Marshmallow Pumpkin.  Sam supports me wholeheartedly in all my art endeavors (bringing me endless cups of tea while I'm working in my office), and I truly feel blessed to share my life with him. In 2015 I began working part time as a freelance artist and was encouraged by my husband and parents to take the leap of faith and formally start my own business in 2020.  Portraits of people and pets are my specialty, as well as illustration and hand painting items! Welcome to Ashley Grayce Art!