Interview with Ashton Howard
– Who were your artistic influences while growing up?
One of my favorites and all time classics was Bob Ross believe it or not. Ha. I watched him when I was a kid growing up and loved the way he could create such depth and realism in his paintings in such a short amount of time. I was into so many forms of art including painting big graffiti pieces so my inspiration came from a variety of different sources. To name a few friends and colleagues of mine in the art industry that I look up to now, I would include: Rick Rietveld, Wade Koniakowsky, and Phil Roberts.
– How did you develop your technique of combining photography and painting to create such real-life textures on canvas?
Well, as a surfer spending so much time in the water my mind’s eye became my camera. There are certain angles of water and light and experiences from being immersed in the ocean that have been ingrained in me forever and I have always strived to have a sense of realism in my paintings when expressing this on canvas. Experiencing these moments alone has always been my inspiration when creating my paintings on canvas. I love being surrounded by the power of nature and the outdoors, capturing these moments with my camera, whether it is shooting moving water and waves lit by the sun, chasing storms or heading offshore with the sun at your back and wind in your face. Using my photos as reference for my paintings has helped me discover new perspectives and angles and certain ways that light interacts with water.
– What ocean scenes speak to you the most in terms of their artistic expression?
Anything that has a tremendous amount of intensity and drama. In Florida’s summertime we get some of the most incredible offshore thunderstorms and it is so awesome to watch these roll in. The clouds, wind, changes in water texture and color, incredible sky colors and lighting are so alive before and after a storm. It can feel as if you are walking around in the most incredible painting when the sun begins to set over a scene like this.
– Some of your shots of waves seem to almost come from inside the water. What techniques do you use to capture these images?
Yes, painting the perspective of inside the wave is something I have been doing my entire art career and capturing these moments with my camera is just as much fun as they are to paint. I shoot with a Nikon and SPL water housing that allows my camera equipment to swim along with me in the ocean. It is an absolute blast shooting water photography and when the waves are good, I find myself equally as stoked to capture a few shots as I am to get out there and surf. It is common to shoot a couple thousand photos when the shutter is on continuous just firing away, the best part is coming home and seeing what you captured.
– Do you have any good fishing stories that might have played a role in your development as an artist?
Every time we are headed southbound offshore there are always stories. Over the summer we ran out on a particular early morning with storms surrounding us in all directions. The forecast was clear about 30 miles offshore and it we could see a punch of light so we went for it. That day we hooked up with several wahoo on the troll while massive waterspouts continually touched down on the horizon. The lighting from the sun peeking through huge thunderheads made for some incredible painting like moods out there, I couldn’t stop shooting pics while trying to gaff fish. Haha. The seas went from 2-3ft to 5-7ft in a matter of seconds while navigating our 24ft center console. Needless to say we tucked away the cameras and pulled the outriggers in. When the Southbound crew (our apparel company) embarks on an adventure there are always moments that will stick with me.
-Can you say a bit about your childhood? How were you first introduced to the ocean?
I was born on the Gulf Coast of Florida in a town called Pensacola. If you have ever visited you would know we are nearly surrounded by water in every direction. I grew up on the bayou, lakes, and the bay, all a short four or five mile drive across the Bob Sikes bridge to the barrier island of Pensacola Beach. We grew up fishing, crabbing, surfing, and playing on the wide white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Our beaches are truly some of the most beautiful in the world, sugar white sand, emerald green water, and world class fishing in our backyard. Pensacola is actually Florida’s first settlement and is rich with cultural history, it has been dubbed the “Upside of Florida” as we are growing so fast and known for these beautiful parts.
-In what ways has your approach to art evolved during your career? (Either aesthetically or in a material sense)
As a freelance artist and designer, being involved in a variety of projects and opportunities over the years has allowed me to continue to learn new techniques and skills. I paint commissioned original paintings in acrylic and oil, create large scale murals, shoot photography, design custom logos and also design a variety of full color graphics for several apparel companies in the action sports industry. I can take a finished painting and import it into my design program and add a border, type font, or a client’s custom logo. Most of my full color illustrations for T-shirt graphics I create 100% using my digital Wacom tablet. All of these things have opened my mind to new ways of creating artwork and combining certain techniques to achieve a signature look.
-What to you is the most important aspect of an ocean scene to capture? Can you comment on how your works fit into a broader spectrum of oceanic art? What are your thoughts on other techniques?
Dramatic lighting and mood. I love creating all sorts of ocean inspired imagery from waves, stormy scenes, creatures of the sea, and the coastal landscapes of all the places I have lived or visited. I am always experimenting with new things and love discovering new techniques. There is no right or wrong way to create, just do what you love. That is the best part about being an artist – there are no rules!
-Where do you see yourself in five years?
I want to continue to grow my freelance design business through commissioned paintings and custom illustrations. I love to create original artwork and love working with clients throughout my industry. Nothing makes me happier than having stoked and happy clients!
