Join us Saturday November 4th for the opening reception of “Ethereal Noveau: Celestial Melodies & Gilded Divinations” by Ashley Gates. This reception is free and open to the public from 7:00-10:00pm. Drinks and refreshments provided.
The artwork will be on view through November 25th during TASI’s regular gallery hours:
Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon until 5:00pm
I was born and raised in Florida in a big family but wanted to have a change of scenery and have been a resident of Southwest Louisiana for over a decade now. I am largely self taught but studied a little while in a specialized art program named MCCA in high school at Westport High. I briefly studied graphic design at the University of Florida but dropped out to pursue tattooing and find my way as an artist. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to be an artist and have dedicated my life to that pursuit. I indulge myself with many different mediums and work with makeup, sewing, painting, and design. I sell my art at my website amgashleygates.com.
I’m inspired by the everyday and the beauty in life, music, and occasionally pop-culture. I love to create things that meld the fantastic and reality. Whether it is mixing realism with fun abstract backgrounds, melding figures together, or just creating a fantasy painting that is vibrant and full of life, I love it all.
While my current favorite mediums are India ink, watercolor, and gold leaf, I really enjoy challenging myself to learn new disciplines, techniques, and mediums to aid in creating gorgeous works that capture the imagination.
I usually focus on fantasy artwork but really wanted to change it up and study and delve into my own version of art nouveau. I’d describe it as a vibrant and playful modern technique of art nouveau. Bright beautiful colors, bold whimsical line work and splashes of gold embellishment. My biggest influences in this show are Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt. I’m exploring my own modernized version of the style while exploring the art and meaning within a tarot deck. I’ll be using primarily watercolor, gold leaf and ink as well as showcasing some costumes based on art in the cards. I’m working with an amazing composer, Jeremi Edwards, as well as having some nice photographs of the costumes being displayed by local photographer, Madison Hartley.
I’m wanting people to feel, hear, and see the meaning of the art. It will be highly saturated and vibrant with color and feature gold embellishments. I want it to be interactive and whimsical.
–Ashley Gates, 2023