Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Polidori.
Ashley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My ‘story’ as an Artist feels like some kind of spiritual journey. As a toddler nothing entertained me better than my imagination, coloring pictures, and playing outdoors. At age 11 my artwork was chosen to become a millennium series U.S. postage stamp. The “Stampin’ the Future’” art contest encouraged children to design their vision of the future. I featured ‘Fetch’ a Golden Retriever pup chillin on some far-off planet in outer space. A huge accomplishment and magnitude of luck I couldn’t really process at the time. The spotlight won me A LOT of attention and admiration from others. But the other side of this coin came some kind of ‘approval seeking’ and ‘never good enough’ complex, reinforced by the religious influences in my upbringing. The bar was set pretty high at a young age. I became anxious and avoidant of self-expression because the vulnerability it created felt terrifying. Fear of rejection and perfectionism stifled my creativity. It wasn’t until a decade later when I discovered Yoga that I realized I didn’t need to fear my feelings or my truth anymore. It was nothing short of a miracle that Yoga awakened in me the strength to begin again as a creative and free soul. Allowing me to truly meet myself for the first time ever and discover my true nature. I progressed into a love affair with Yoga, Art, and Mother Nature. I naturally gravitated to experiences that bring deep enjoyment and spiritual fulfillment. In 2012 ‘Arty_Yogi’ was created on Instagram as a public space for me to share my creations, inspirations, and passions with others. I wanted to be a voice for love, the natural world, freedom, and healing. Throughout my diverse experiences in art, meditation, relationships, and psychotherapy I learned how healing and growth works. I discovered how vulnerability is required for real connection to take place. I began making quality, lasting friendships for the first time in my life. My family relationships went deeper too. I committed myself to being seen for who I am and what I believe in. I persistently attempt to let go of all things blocking my own authenticity. Practicing Yoga Nidra meditation offered me tremendous peace and from that place creative insight came rushing through. My creative output became explosive! Art continues to be a way for me to meditate, process my inner experiences, increase vitality, and connect to a power greater than myself. It’s all about connection.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My style is mixed, colorful, bold, and symbolic. I enjoy a variety of mediums: paint, mosaics, photography, poetry, short articles, guided meditations, group trainings, and psychotherapeutic interventions. My work is meant to spark something deep in you and perhaps lead you to new understanding or appreciation. I tend to weave together artistic and scientifically inspired concepts. ‘Nature Art’ installations became a fun way for me to celebrate my love of nature and art while enjoying my time outdoors.
Sometimes I co-create in nature with friends, family, or even strangers who see me working on an installation. I often write psycho-educational or poetic commentary to go along with my images. The content is entirely based on what is on my mind, in my heart, or manifesting in my life. When working with clients I take a collaborative approach catering to their specific needs and goals. As I lean into this powerful work I continue to fall more in love with life. My mission is to continue helping others do the same. I want to share what feels beautiful and true.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I don’t know enough artists to have a solid sense of what’s out there, but I do have ideas. I think a huge contributor deals with our social and cultural conditioning. Researchers have determined how shame and loneliness have become ‘epidemics’ in our society. This means pervasive feelings of disconnection. We’re losing our tolerance for emotional vulnerability, yet vulnerability is the birthplace of connection and creativity. Vulnerability means willingness to take risks when there are no guarantees. It means having faith and trust in ourselves even though we’ve lived imperfectly. It’s the willingness to fall down, learn from it, and get back up again. Modern-day advancements with internet technology and social media have afforded us tremendous opportunities for self-expression and business development.
Maybe our exposure to the infinite sea of digital content negatively distorts reality. Perhaps our consumerist culture reinforces a ‘never enough’ mindset where are hustle for our worth and compete for our value (as individuals and as artists). It can become a struggle to feel adequate, let alone worthy of success. Our inner resources go underdeveloped when outer resources hold the practical value in society. The stress of inner deficiency stifles creativity and abundance. I think the shift happens when we shine the light of awareness on these patterns and make a conscious choice to change. As Artists we can become creatively abundant by allowing our own authenticity to shine through our work. We learn to trust ourselves, believe in our worth, and see the value of what we bring into the world.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The best way for you to view my artwork is on Instagram. I’m in the early stages of running a business I’ve named, ‘Affirmative Arts’ (affirmativearts.com). Communi
Contact Info:
- Phone: (801) 440-9039
- Email: ashleypolidoriarts@gmail.com
- Website: http://affirmativearts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsy_yogi/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.m.polidori
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJGfp_MJXr6qhzrgd3sVysg?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Ashley Polidori
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