I was 18 when I first started at Creative Clay so it was 6 years ago. I started in the Transition program. Well, they helped me with the jobs out in the real world to figure out what skills I needed. I liked to do my own things and learned about freestyling on the cards. I came into the Creative Clay Community Arts Program and I enjoy being challenged. It helps me update my skills to continue to get better and better over time. I do love trying new things, and sometimes I like to stay at Creative Clay because there is something always unexpected to do. It challenges me. I also enjoy the community part of Creative Clay. The other member artists want me to collaborate with them and they inspire me to make art together and do well. I must reach to the limit of progress to astonish and branch out in the world and the challenges like different mediums.

My favorite is mostly using pencils. I have free control and can erase. Other mediums do not let you erase in the proper way. It takes a lot longer with other mediums, rather than just using a simple pencil. Black and white is more simple to use, and it is simple. Using colors takes a lot longer to get the colors right. I do like to paint on occasion. Painting is more time consuming and having the passion for the project makes it more fun to do and easier to get done, but when you are practicing sketches, pencils are easier.

One goal I have is to explore more mediums. I want to use different kinds of paints. I currently enjoy using acrylic, but I want to get into more oils and watercolor. I also enjoy the idea of exploring more mixed media art. I want to also get back into animation because it helps me understand how people and objects move in a realistic way. I use this knowledge to inspire my sketches and paintings. I always want to work on perfecting my techniques.

I love listening to music. I occasionally write music myself as well, but I have not had much time to keep working on it. It takes a long time to come up with lyrics sometimes. I enjoy using GarageBand and I used to handwrite music too.

I think when I see my improvements over the years that I came so and I want to keep going to see what I can do next in other mediums to push me further and to get greater than I’ll already are. I think the proudest one is when i get encourage to get what I want become in future of long comings to much items and inspired. My proudest moment is seeing how far I have come. How much I have improved in my skills over time. Specifically, I am proud of how much details I have included into my artwork, like proper details and things. I am also proud of the shows I get accepted into. When I see it in person, I love to socialize with people. I love people getting to know me and my art. I like when they ask questions. It is hard to count which one I am most proud of because each is a different opportunity and experience. For me, I like that my family is so interested in my shows. My family and others that know me, when they show they are invested in my work, it makes me proud.

Sometimes things that interest me inspire me. Like how much unusual places I have never seen before in this world. I am able to visit these places in my artwork. Artists who take perspective in a different light inspire me too. The artists in the past who have created incredible art and made it so enriching inspire me.

I mostly love making actual people having conversations and actual realistic activities. I would not be able to pick a favorite. I think all the artwork I make I am proud of in different ways.

I am an opportunist, and I am willing to do things even if it is a challenge for me. I want to keep trying and keep going. I want to expand my audience and reach more people with your artwork. I think I want to keep working on my graphic and visual arts. In the future I want to experience more things to use to inspire art.

If I had to give any advice, keep trying, you might make it. In the future people will have so many different styles. You can make it however you want to make it beautiful. If things get very difficult, listen to the people helping you. They are there to help you pursue your artwork and style in a beautiful way.

Please come visit me at Creative Clay so I can show you my artwork. I am a willing and helpful guy so if you want to talk about art, visit me in the studio!

Ashton T. chose to become a member of the Community Arts Program in November 2022, after graduating from the Transition Vocational Training program at Creative Clay where he was a student artist. He is from Spanishtown, Jamaica. Ashton’s artwork is realistic and often includes portraits and a narrative. His favorite art media is graphics, and he enjoys sketching as well. Ashton is inspired by learning different and new art techniques. His goals are to have a part-time job, independence, and to learn to keep on tasks. A personal quote that Ashton shared is, “If the hill is harder to climb, then get on it.”

African Americans and the Arts GFG Feb 2024
Turandot Inspired SPO March April 2024
Iconic Landmarks Lost SFA April 2024
Humans St Pete Beach Library Partnership exhibit July 2024
*The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, Commissioned painting March 2024, giclee and greeting cards
100 Discs and 100 Years Art Show St. Pete Shuffleboard Club May 2024
The Good Folk Traveling Show GFG May June 2024
Let it Rain DFAC June-August 2024
Summertime GFG July August 2024