By Gina Lanaux

Ashley Terrell’s talent graces the homes of many art lovers in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Her landscapes and abstracts are ethereal and soft with muted colors, painted with big brushes, so the shapes have no edges. With layers and layers of thin acrylic paint, she glazes the finished piece with a clear top coat. “The glaze makes the colors pop out, creating depth,” she explains. Get ready, Ashley has chosen to Change!

Last Spring, while on a trip to Malaga, Spain, she visited Pablo Picasso's private collection at his home. His cubist style spoke to her, an ‘aha’ moment, so to speak, she was bubbling over with ideas and now has embarked on an entirely different path of creativity. 

“I think I might be schizophrenic!’, she laughs, because her new geometric body of work is altogether different from her earlier paintings. These new geometric abstracts have hard edges and flat shapes and have a mid-century modern aesthetic. “I painted the first one just for myself and took it to Kim Kelly at Sophiella Gallery in Mobile to see what Kim thought. She encouraged me to go with it, and now I'm having my third solo show at the Gallery on November 6th.“ 

Ashley described the process for her new collection. ‘I measure, then sketch it maintaining a pattern, draw it on the canvas using straight lines, and then fill in with color. It's all hand-done and very precise. I found I love coloring and staying within the lines, just like I did as a little girl. I loved coloring books!“ 

With a degree in Art Education from the University of South Alabama, Ashley says she took every studio class available; drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics which exposed her to all aspects of art. After teaching Art in the Mobile County Public Schools for 5 years, she became a freelance graphic artist and produced drawings for a stationary company, Original Creations. After her 3 children left the nest, she painted as a hobby, and as she grew as an artist, so did her following. Home shows led to gallery shows and subsequent success, artistically and professionally. “I took a leap of faith and never looked back.”

The show, “Spectrum of Intent”, opens on Wednesday, November 6 with a reception from 5 pm to 8 pm, and will hang for November at Sophiella Gallery, 111 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. Art Walk, Friday, November 8, from 6 to 9 pm, presents another opportunity to see the calculated design strategy of the artist. The geometric lines in color are fresh and bold, a delightful surprise for those familiar with Ms. Terrell’s work.

Ashley’s personality is exemplified in the new paintings. She is full of life, seeks fun and adventure, and is very comfortable with who she is as a person and an artist. A childhood friend of mine, I wouldn't say she has always ‘stayed within the lines’, but these new lines are a defining moment for her. With 30 new pieces on display, patrons will feel the energy and excitement of her personality and her craft. Follow her on Instagram @ashleyterrellart. I can’t wait to see the show. See you at Sophiella!