working on details of "Deanna" oil on canvas 20" x 24" What's new? Me here, the lady who is really bad about updating her blog! Also me, the person pretty decent at updating her Instagram this summer. So if you're a person who is constantly refreshing or truly PINING away for an e-mail from me in your inbox, go on over there and follow me. :) Since you last heard from me I was making gains at getting little people to understand perspective, the color wheel, and how to be ki

This post was supposed to "air" earlier this week. What's that, motherhood? So often when I do a commission I have to keep it a secret, which I mean, is REALLY difficult. Such was the case, with these two lovebirds, who I also get to call family! This commissioned drawing is 8" x 10" on cream paper, using graphite. Someone once asked me, what's the difference between graphite and pencil? It's a fancy way of saying pencil. Congrats to Sam and Abby Querrey (it's going to ta

Check out these new works on paper by Tampa artist, Ashley Cassens, as she shares intimate moments of her pregnancy through drawing and pain

I've been s-l-o-w-l-y plugging away, in between commissions drying, at a new series, titled: dear Merritt, It's a body of small oil paintings, standing only 5” x 7” tall. Currently I'm working on five but envision 7-10 framed paintings in total. Each little work is accompanied by a one page written narrative exorcising each painting’s memory. The oil paintings are delicately painted miniatures (i.e. the tinier the brush the better!) inspired by my memories from childhood in

PRIMED: an art exhibition that explores the endless possibilities of paint featuring three Florida Artists

Does it bother me to present my private exchanges in a public space? No.  Was I hesitant?  Sure.

Hi friends! I'm back with a crash course video on how to paint what you SEE and not what you KNOW. Is an apple really red? Is the sky really blue? Learn how to become a better painter by truly looking and knowing the difference between local color and perceived color. The more I search (and understand that we never stop learning how to see) the better my work becomes. I challenge you to do the same! Local Color Vs. Perceived Color by Ashley Cassens #artvideo #arttutorial #

STORM UPDATE: While September has thus far been a roller coaster, thanks to Hurricane Ir... you know. I'm not even go to finish that sentence. If you've been watching, reading, reacting, cursing at that former storm than, like me, you are just as sick of thinking about it, talking about and expending more energy on it. What's important is that I'm safe, my friends and family are safe and for the most part it's nothing that time and a few trips to Home Depot can't repair.

Byeeeeee As school's are closing, bbq's are firing and summer vacations are launching, I wanted to send a quick thank you for so many new and old followers. Being a painter can often be an isolating affair and it means so much to have you all in my corner. I'm busy prepping for lots of new commissions in June, as well a vacation of my own, and may (pun intended) be disconnected for the next few days. In the meantime, don't forget the May discount that's happening right now i

Arm Crook 54 1/2" x 34" oil on canvas detail of Arm Crook 54 1/2" x 34" oil on canvas #art #painting #oilpainting #figurative #floridaartist #oilpainter

Hi Friends, The Exhibition It Figures: The Body in Art opens, featuring my painting Rhinoplasty, opens this week! To read more about this painting, visit this previous blog entry! The show is a contemporary examination of the human figure- historically a major focus of artists. All societies have created their own concepts for how to portray the human body. These concepts are reflected and challenged in artists' representation of the human figure. This exhibit will examine co

Exactly one year ago, I married the love of my life. Today, like many milestones, we share it in separate cities. Because of our physical distance, I create new visual spaces in which my husbands presence can be experienced. In the absence of his physical body, I re-present it in intimate, colorful, and sometimes funny ways. For those of you who have been scratching your head about why a pantsless paper doll of my husband has been invading my Instagram, here's your answer

projection protection 5x7 2015 oil on wood panel #ashleycassens #oilpainting #painting #figurative

I am SO pleased to have been awarded the College Advisory Board Graduate Student Grant by the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters College! In between holidays and the semester wrapping up, I failed to share this wonderful news. The grant was awarded to support a move from traditional, well-crafted oil glaze paintings to incorporating a photo-based process, cyanotype, into my painting practice. Having honed my foundational skills in representational oil painting usi

ART FOR SALE! "Raquel Welch" $130 DIMENSIONS: original on paper : 9 x 12 in frame (white, triple matted) 16 x 20 if you're in Tampa, FL - no s/h!! Sorry, outside of Tampa - s/h is not included in price comment below OR email : ashleynicoleartistry@gmail.com #forsale #sale #art #watercolor #artist #ashleygilbert #ashleynicole #artistry #tampa #painting

It's been a few weeks since I've filled you all in on my creative adventures, so here's an update! I'm putting the finishing touches on this watercolor piece that I've amusingly titled "Raquel Welch". It's 9 x 12 painting on Arches watercolor block. I know there are many artists that use watercolor paper that isn't on a block but I just CAN'T go there. Perhaps I haven't experienced enough with different brands but the Arches blocks are where it's at. They never buckle, th

Here's why: In exactly one week, I will be a featured artist at the Lightning game on Monday, March 17th @ 7:30pm! My interview about my painting, Obstacle, will "air" during the 1st intermission. I haven't been given a sneakpeak so I'm hopeful that video editing is kind to me. For readers that aren't aware, I was one of 42 artists selected for the 2nd Annual Celebration of the Arts at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in October of 2013. The show runs throughout the hockey season