Meet Ashlynn Browning | Painter & Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlynn Browning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashlynn, how do you think about risk?
As a painter, you have to take risks to keep the work moving forward and feeling fresh. I like to switch up certain variables in my studio periodically in order to be able to keep that sense of adventure and momentum in the paintings. Sometimes the scale of the work changes, or it could be incorporating drawing or collage, or working on paper instead of wood panels….as long as you’re always introducing some element of risk, you’re not in danger of getting too comfortable or making “easy” paintings.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
From childhood on, I always knew I wanted to be a professional artist, so the path has been a focused and determined one. I went into college with that goal firmly set. Majoring in studio art was my primary intent, but I have always loved literature and writing, so double majoring in English was a natural fit. The creative and analytical processes are very similar in a lot of ways with writing and art, so I feel that the two majors really fed each other and cross-pollinated ideas in interesting ways. After graduating, I went straight into an MFA program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where I studied painting and printmaking. Then I set up my own studio space with the wonderful help of a Joan Mitchell Foundation MFA Grant and have been making work and exhibiting locally, nationally, and internationally steadily since that time. The way I paint is very intuitive, so each piece is its own journey and adventure. I am not satisfied with my work unless it surprises me, so I’m always chasing that aesthetic. It’s always just beyond my grasp and that keeps me going. I treat my studio like a laboratory where variables are constantly tried and tested. Anything can happen there and that freedom is exhilarating.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When I’m in Atlanta one of my favorite places to go is Ponce City Market to stroll and check out the shops, but mostly to eat at Hop’s Chicken. Their fried chicken and mac and cheese are absolutely amazing. I also love the spring Inman Park Festival, which is in the same neighborhood as the Atlanta gallery I show with, Whitespace. I highly recommend people pop in and see this beautiful, unusual gallery run by Susan Bridges. She is one of the warmest, friendliest people you’ll ever meet and there is always a great exhibition on view.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give credit to the galleries who represent my work. Whitespace in Atlanta, GA run by Susan Bridges, if ART Gallery in Columbia, SC run by Wim Roefs, and Hodges Taylor Gallery in Charlotte, NC run by Lauren Harkey. They work so hard for their stable of artists and go above and beyond to make exhibitions, artist talks and sales happen. Most importantly, they dedicate their lives and careers to spreading an awareness and appreciation of art with the public. Also I’d like to give a huge shoutout to the North Carolina Museum of Art who I’ve been working with on a big project for the last three years. I served as guest curator for an exhibition of contemporary painting by fellow North Carolina artists, which is currently on view at the museum through Feb. 2021. I was so honored that they believed in this project I proposed and offered their support, resources, and wonderful venue to bring the idea to fruition.

Website: https://www.ashlynnbrowning.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browning19/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0NN_QRfABNaewD0vRyVM14Is40WoYpXy