Raised in Manhattan, Kansas, and born in Provo, Utah, Ashley’s upbringing has shaped the way she explore themes of childhood, identity, and spirituality. These subjects have become even more significant to her after a faith crisis led to her departure from Mormonism, a personal spiritual journey that has influenced her subject matter and the way she examines belief systems. Ashley works in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, and printmaking. She explores the realm of contemporary expressionism and enjoys depicting the figure and landscapes. Her artistic influences include Vincent Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Chaïm Soutine, Joshua Flint, and Berte Morisot.

Ultimately, her desire is to spark conversation about how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and our beliefs. She is currently working on her final BFA project at Utah Valley University which explores the relationship between two eldest daughters — herself and her mother. As she writes:

“At twenty-six, my mother began writing an online blog to document her thoughts, methods, and stories surrounding motherhood. Through her writing, I encounter a version of myself I seem to see through a fog: a woman learning how to care for others and herself, discovering her identity through religion and politics, and battling major depressive disorder. As I examine my childhood, I ask myself these questions: How much of who I am is a reflection of her, consciously or unconsciously? What parts of me are distinctly my own? What has been passed down—from her mother to her, from her to me—through expectation, religion, and survival? What do I carry forward, and what do I choose to leave behind? Where does joy live in these memories, and where do anger and grief take hold?”

Her BFA Exhibition will be shown in Fall 2026.