Life & Work with Ashley Matelski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Matelski.

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was a little girl, I took art classes at a local community center. As I progressed through life, I continued to move towards art as a career. What always lacked, for me, was an artist community I could relate to. In the suburbs of Chicago, I didn’t get the creative interactions I was searching for. Moving out to the Southwest in the middle of high school changed that for me. Shortly after I graduated, I found myself in Flagstaff. I finally found a town where the creative energy was present.

As I slowly felt comfortable putting myself out there as an ‘artist’ I found the community welcomed my efforts with open arms. I started to feel more and more inspired. I wanted this vibe, this feeling, to spread to others. After over ten years of living in Flagstaff, I finally started establishing myself as a full time artist. I would think to myself, if I can do this, so can other artists. I felt the longing to create a space for others to feel welcome and supported in their careers as a artist or small business owner.

I wanted to have a hub for creative entrepreneurs to meet, brainstorm and collaborate on ideas. Eventually, I found the perfect dream space and reached out to the tenant and landlord, I told them whenever they left, I wanted the spot for a interactive studio and gallery. A year went by and one day, they called and said it was time. The stars aligned and on July 1, 2021, I signed a lease and started Art Loft Collective: a studio and gallery for classes, workshops and events located in the heart of downtown Flagstaff, Arizona.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No way! This has the bumpiest road I’ve never traveled and I wouldn’t change the experience for the world. People think being a full-time artist is all flowers, butterflies and landscapes. The reality is that most of the time I run around like a. headless chicken. Starting my own business has been the most fun and challenging project and I only expect the ‘canvas’ to evolve and change again and again. I find it to be very rewarding to be presented with a challenge and figuring it out. After all, no one else is going to figure it out for me. When you start a small business your the boss, accountant, marketing manager, janitor, front desk clerk… So you have to learn to wear all the hats.

I did not receive any formal education in business management or art, however, I do have a background in management and marketing for local businesses here in town. My biggest challenge usually comes down to government paperwork, licenses, taxes, etc. There’s so many things to learn and stay on top of. Thankfully I’ve created a hub of resources at the Art Loft, so finding the support and help I need has typically only been one social media post away!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, my focus is pyrography. I work on recycled live-edge wood slabs as a canvas. I use a hot soldering tool to create lifework images of botanicals and landscapes, typically inspired by the Southwest. I add contrast and texture with watercolor and acrylic paints. I am most. known for my butterflies. I have often been recognized in town as ‘the butterfly girl’. What I am most proud of is opening Art Loft Collective. I have started the first chapter of my dream job. The feeling is incomparable to truly be loving what you do and making it accessible to others.

I think what sets me apart from others is my drive to bring community together. In the entire time I have lived in Flagstaff, there has never been a space for kid’s art classes downtown. This was super important to me to bring to our community. Another thing that makes us unique is our First Friday Art Walks are interactive. Instead of enjoying a classic gallery, we invite our guests to come see what we are working on and grab a brush and try for yourself. We often work live at events and encourage clients to ask questions. We want you to walk in, feel inspired and get involved!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
To get involved you can contact us via social media @artloftcollective or check out our website! We are always looking for volunteers to help run classes or teach workshops. A lot of our classes are free to make art more accessible for everyone. From our website you can email us, view our classes/workshop schedule or donate. Donations help pay for material costs for the classes/workshops. www.artloftcollective.com

Contact Info:

• Email: studio@artloftcollective.com
• Website: www.artloftcollective.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/artloftcollective
• Facebook: Facebook.com/artloftcollective

Image Credits
Cierra Murrietta Photography