Ashley Rollins

Little River, SC

My name is Ashley Rollins, I am part of the Academy for the Art, Science, and Technology (AAST) Advanced Art Major, and a proud member of the National Art Honors Society. I started my art journey when I was about 9 years old, in 3rd grade. As of 2023, I have had about 8 years of experience using different mediums and perfecting my craft. Art has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve always loved taking characters from movies and putting them into a world of my own, even if it was only stick figures. I feel that art can be a gateway or window into an artist's life. Most of my work is derived from personal experiences, such as healing from breakups, processing the death of a loved one, struggling with depression and anxiety, along with the times when I feel confident and upbeat. Many of my works have butterflies in them. They are a representation of growth, change, and rebirth. Butterflies hold much meaning for me, and are a symbol of how far I’ve come in my life and a motto to keep growing and embrace change. If I had to give aspiring artists any advice it would be: Be patient with yourself. It takes time to grasp an understanding of new materials and techniques. Embrace mistakes, and learn from them. Continue to make art regardless of people's opinions, if it makes you happy, then make it.