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Who is Jen Ashton? "I am the quintessential professional artiste'. I live "outside the box." I paint things, draw things, sketch things, cast things, sculpt things, mold things, build things, create things, and imagine things. I even take pictures of things, and print things. I make up things and write things too. And yes, I make a good living doing these things. People actually buy my stuff! In fact, I have clients all over the world who pay top dollar for my stuff!" Jen Ashton has been an artist since she can remember. In fact, she probably even painted the walls of her mother’s womb. From the moment she first picked up a crayon she began coloring, sketching, and drawing. When Jen was in kindergarten, the other children on her block set up shop selling lemonade on the corner. She, on the other hand, sold art. Back then, her mini drawings (4”x6” sketches) sold for 10 cents each, a good investment if you consider a Jen Ashton painting now goes for $10,000! Art has always been Jen’s natural talent, so it’s no wonder she always excelled in art classes. She studied art history, painting, drawing, photography, and commercial design. But, art was not her only interest. Jen found that she was also deeply influenced by literature and grammar. In grade school, she studied creative writing, poetry, and literary movements; and fell in love! Writing became her foremost past time, and thus she spewed her teenage heart into a collection of 17 college-ruled spiral notebooks. Ashton has continued to write poetry and short stories as a hobby, and plans to publish something in the not too distant future. Jen Ashton graduated high school early, and decided to relocate from Indiana to sunny Southern California. For the next ten years she learned many new trades and tried her talents in other creative outlets including flower arrangements, pharmacy technician, public relations, club promotions, acting, modeling, and recording music. During this time, money was short and Jen had to make do with what she had, so nonetheless she taught herself to be very handy around the house. She began to get “crafty” building and creating art and functional things with used items. Her flare for home projects eventually led her to building furniture and décor items from scratch, and she has since also obtained her degree in Interior Decorating. It didn’t take long for Ashton to establish herself as an artist in early 2001 once she decided that art was her life and going to be her career. She had always painted as a hobby, made friends and family creative gifts for the holidays, and used her talent for charitable causes, but now it was time to make it a business. Jen took her minimal life savings and invested in her own career. She used her knowledge of public relations, marketing, and promotions to launch her art into the public and sold 100 original paintings her first year! It wasn’t long before Jen Ashton was signing contracts for publishing and exhibiting her work nationwide in high end art galleries. And in recent years, Ashton has worked with representatives responsible for the careers of Michael Godard and 80's famed Playboy artist Patrick Nagel. As an artist, Jen Ashton has ventured through many different styles and techniques trying to “find herself”. Her collection over the years has changed with her many modes and inspirations. However, she is greatly influenced by her love of Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec , Herni Matisse and Andy Warhol. Like these great masters of their work, Ashton continues to develop and create, study and experiment; but the constant throughout her career has been expression. Whether captured in a portrait, created with movement, spoken through color, or simply translated by the written word…she has always expressed herself through her art, and thus Ashton’s followers have remained steadfast. Whatever she does, Ashton’s clients can count on her to do it with heart! Today Jen Ashton spends most of her time on commissioned paintings for clients and galleries around the world. She works with celebrated stars, professional poker players, restaurateurs, musicians, and art collectors. She enjoys working one-on-one with her clients to create designs and art specifically for them. Also to Jen’s delight, the “spiritual series” is, and has been, a sell-out edition since its inception. This series was her original inspiration to return to art and is, she feels, the most expressive of all her work. But, classically trained in portraiture, it seems that Ashton is provided a steady stream of clients ready for their close up as well! Since 2006, Ashton has been internationally embraced by the poker industry, painting portraits of the top professional poker stars as well as designing entire collections for their homes. With a current waiting list of over six months, she keeps busy and even in her spare time, continues to create and find new avenues for her work, always utilizing the artist within. In early 2007, Ashton and her partner, renowned artist Thomadro, opened for business. Their much-anticipated life casting venture was introduced to the world at the Playboy Mansion in April 2007 with rave reviews. ...thus MadJenNation Studios was born. Ashton's art accomplishments include:
-"Eclectic, Innovative, avant garde," says Reperata Mazzola, writer for Poker Pro Magazine. "What is presently evident is that Jen Ashton has merely scratched the surface of her artistic genius. Collectors and galleries all over the world can look forward to more provocative, inspiring and exhilarating work from one of America's unparalleled creative talents. Jen Ashton is a multifaceted artist whose time has definitely come. " -"...vivid colors jump from the canvas, while their stories of self-discovery and passion are left for the viewer to reveal." Jill Sieracki, Playgirl Magazine. -"...a bitchin' painter, " writes Allison Mamana-Sabo, Hollywood publicist. "...going back to brush, she's the next big thing to hit the art world!" -"...is fast emerging as one of the commercial gallery world's star artists." S.L. Berry, Indianapolis Star. -"I have taught over 8,000 students and, as a principal, have administered well over 2,000 more. (Ashton) will always be my all-time favorite." Dr. Robert Brower writes, referring to her as having "...talent and wonder that is nonpareil," and "...a giftedness that most people can only envy." He finishes by saying, "...(she) was destined for greatness!" -"I have always been amazed by her ability to just do whatever she puts her mind to," Nick Don Vito, Rear Window Productions. -"(Ashton) deserves her growing success, and I'm certain that there are many wonderful things coming for her," David Ellis, Ellis Productions, Inc. |
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