Sit down with artist Ashley Rosenow
Open Today
Artist: Ashley Rosenow
The newest addition to Kingsway’s gallery of murals is A Deeper Perspective, by local artist Ashley Rosenow. We sat down with Ashley to talk about art, life, and her journey.
PHOTOS BY: Penkee Productions
Never in a million years did I expect to be painting murals for a living. If you asked me 5 years ago if I’d be elbow deep in paint every day, I would have laughed, but also that would have sounded like a wonderful fairytale.
When I first opened my business, Illustrious Interiors, I had only intentions on focusing on Home Staging, Interior Design, and Paint Consults. It was within months of opening my business that I began painting murals for my design clients, which opened the door to the mural world. Fast-forward to 4 years later, and my most requested service is Custom Murals and I couldn’t be happier about it! I am proud of where I have come over the past few years and cannot wait to see what the future brings!
About 3 months ago, I was painting inside of a store inside Kingsway Mall and walking to the store I noticed so many breathtaking murals. I was in awe by all the different pieces and the talent behind them. Of course, as my eyes beamed with excitement, I could just feel that I needed to have a mural here of my very own, and could you believe it, it actually happened!
When I initially came up with the design idea for the Kingsway Mall mural, I wanted to show something that displayed positive energy. I’ve always been a believer that you can accomplish anything in this life if you put your mind and energy into it.
I called this mural “More than a Miracle” up until the day I painted it.
With the world changing day by day, I felt this mural meant even more than what I originally wanted it to be.
While painting this mural, I had so many people come up to me and not only thank me for this piece, but I was told it MOVED people. I heard so many different perspectives and it was beautiful to hear.
During the second day of painting, a sweet couple approached me and told me what the mural meant to them. All of a sudden, my arms were filled with goosebumps and an idea came to light. I decided that it would be incredible to have everyone’s ideas and opinions of the mural written in the hands and arms of this piece. I began to imagine everyone’s different writings and different perspectives in this mural yet displayed in the hands and coming together as one.
That’s the one thing I love about art. Just because it starts with an idea, doesn’t mean it has to end that way. Our minds all work in different ways and we completely see things differently. As an artist, sometimes it’s easy to stay comfortable in the ways we think, but I feel it is important to sometimes push those boundaries to grow and learn.
You can find Ashley’s work on the Upper Level of Kingsway, by Marshall’s.
