Ashley Lucas | Exhibits & Bio
CURRENT | UPCOMING SHOWS“The Up Side” Group Show
September 10 - November 30, 2010
Cosi Cafe, Newport, NJ
Opening Night September 10th, 6-8pm
“Boo Bat & Pumpkin Throw a Party” Book Opening
October 8 - November 5, 2010
Made with Love, Jersey City, NJ
Opening Night October 8th {more details to follow}
ARTIST STATEMENT
Unrestricted by one particular medium, I like to convey my personality and intentions through illustrations, photographs, video and various mixed media projects. Quite simply, I have found the deepest purpose of my art is to make people happy, appreciate common surroundings and take pause in the simplicities of life.
My favorite subjects to photograph are animals, food, street life, architecture, and everyday objects. As a child, I despised antiquing on the weekends and the realization of a time long gone. As an adult, I have developed an intense appreciation for antiquated objects which tell the story of another time and relate everything about that era in history by just sitting on a shelf or collecting dust in a kitchen cupboard.
My illustrative works have been linked to the ‘naïve art movement’ and the style of ‘kawaii’, aka adorable cuteness. In today’s world, when artists are hired based on their knowledge and skill with high end computer programs, I try to retract as much as possible from this trend and offer only hand drawn illustrations and sketches which contain personality and meaning in every stroke. My characters have a unique life of their own because they are imperfect and whimsical. I feel ink on paper is almost magical in a way, and trumps the look of perfect gradations and symmetry from vector designs.
BIO
I take photos. I draw pictures. I make movies. I wear big earrings and like eating a good meal out. These facts about me haven’t changed much since the inception of this website, and are some of the most important facts about me. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to two fabulous artists that met each other in art school, I had a childhood filled with endless creative projects ranging from made up board games, elaborate puppet shows, and my first novel ‘The Adventures of Mr. Pod’ completed when I was thirteen years old. Now just a dusty, returned and rejected manuscript, that little project was one of my favorite endeavors. As a young adult, I made my way to New York City to study film {and some interesting life lessons} at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. After college I held a variety of jobs in the fashion, marketing, and teaching industries that have shaped the person I am today. I’m currently working on promoting my brand ‘Lady Lucas’ in the NY metro area while maintaining a steady exhibition schedule and looking at publishing opportunities for my children’s books. I am always looking for new exhibition opportunities and for businesses that may be interested in carrying my designs. Please feel free to contact me here...
EDUCATION
BFA, Tisch School of the Arts, Undergraduate Film and Television Program
New York University, New York, NY
2004
PAST SHOWS
Ashley Lucas, {Solo Show}
Art House Productions
Jersey City, NJ
March 5 - May 28, 2010
"Sweet Stitchings" - Embroideries of Love, the Valentine’s Show
Made with Love
Jersey City, NJ
February 7th, 2010 - March 3, 2010
Williamsburg Group Show
S. 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY
December 10, 2009
curated by: Amy Gingrich
Prost! Photos and Illustrations from Austria and Germany
Made with Love
Jersey City, NJ
November 4th - November 20th, 2009
Boo, Bat & Pumpkin Photo Illustrations
Made with Love
Jersey City, NJ
October 17th - November 4th, 2009
Tiny, Happy, Things
Snooze Hotel
Salzburg, Austria
Summer 2009
Original Lobby Installation
American Landscapes + Bare Produce
Snooze Hotel
Salzburg, Austria
Summer 2009
Breakfast Room + Hallway Installation
Tiny, Happy, Things
Made with Love
Jersey City, NJ
June 2009
“Prost! “ Recent Photographs of Austria & Germany
Art Walk One Woman Show
Strawberry & Co
Lancaster, PA
April + May 2009
Orchid Prints
Hard Grove Cafe
Jersey City, NJ
January 2009
Collision Machine Group Show
Brooklyn, NY
May 2008
Bar Sputnik Gallery Space Group Show
Brooklyn, NY
March 2007
Art for Giving Group Show
Isadore Gallery
Lancaster, PA
December 2007
All Things Great & Small, Art Walk One Woman Show
Strawberry & Co
Lancaster, PA
September + October 2006
PUBLICATIONS ONLINE
http://sweettweelab.blogspot.com/
Etsy artwork Featured
April 2010
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Art for the Animals
Blog Post Entry
July 2009
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www.shebreathes.com
Photo Shoot for Hala Vintage
April 2009
AWARDS + SPECIAL MENTION
www.artocracy.org
Featured artist June 2008
2008 Blue Moon® Art Project Contest Finalist
(Art shown @ The Columbus, OH Group Show August 7, 2008)