ARTIST STATEMENT
I am intrigued by the way the mystical and the divine present themselves in nature. I see the natural world, including women, as a manifestation of magic. My own experiences with mental illness and generational trauma mean that my work often is tinged with a darkness. However, there are still hints of hope and magic within shadow.
Her Quilt of Memories is a piece honoring the archetype of the elder woman or crone.
As time passes, she gathers memories of people, places and weaves them into a quilt of her experiences, represented by a patchwork dress I created over the figure. She stands alone in an otherwise muted composition, representing her ability to exist independently, self assured.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ashleigh Buchanan was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas. She attended Houston Christian University, graduating with a BFA in painting in 2018, then went on to teach art at the elementary level. Deciding to return to Houston Christian University for an MFA to further develop her body of work, Ashleigh graduated in 2023. Many things inspire her; spirituality, myths, stories, archetypes, and the wildness of the natural world to name just a few. Her work has been exhibited across the state of Texas, in Maryland and in various virtual exhibitions. She currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her partner and two beloved dogs.
© Ashleigh Buchanan