Meet Artevaggio’s Featured Artist: Addo Ashong

When did you first realize you were an artist?
I remember sketching and drawing cartoons from a young age. I started painting when I was 15 years old. One day, I found my father’s oil paints and attempted one of my first oil paintings. I was attempting to copy a Ruben’s painting – The Fall of the Damned. A very difficult and complex painting and it came out more on the abstract side.

Could you tell us about your work?
I enjoy things that are in tune with my artistic sensibilities. My work has a wide range of influence from as far back as the Old Masters to Contemporary Art. In one way or another I like to infuse their qualities into my work.

L 'homagge du femme by Addo Ashong — L ‘homagge du femme by Addo Ashong

What artists have influenced your work?
I have been influenced by a variety of artists from all over the world; and from many time periods. Most notably Dali, Rubens, Michelangelo, and Max Ernst. I also am a huge fan of tribal art; African, Mayan, pre-Columbian and Indian art.

What is your creative inspiration?
Well… That is a very loaded question. I would have to say that my creative inspiration is a combination of observation and ubiquitous questioning of what I feel in my core at the time. This ranges from everything that I see in daily life to people I meet. I mass all of these influences together and combine them with all the history of what I’ve previously found inspiring and out comes the next sketch, drawing, painting, and a new aesthetic.

What other interests do you have besides creating art?
I absolutely love music. Everything except for most country music and heavy metal. I like classical music, pop, jazz, r&b, etc. I also am a fan of literature; mostly classical literature and off-beat poetry. Science is an ubiquitous interest of mine; something that I’m always exploring and inquiring about. I like sports too, football, basketball, and soccer.

What advice would you give to a new artist?
Try everything and explore all aspects of the arts. More importantly make drawing the foundation of what you’re doing in terms of what you plan to depict whether its abstract or realistic.

Could you give some advice about the business side of being an artist?
Yes; be honest about your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to marketing. If you are good at an aspect of marketing and have the time and skill to do it yourself; do it yourself. In contrast to that if you are not good at marketing; seek out resources to help you in your marketing endeavors. The second and most important advice I could give would be to constantly communicate with other artists; even if the work they do is different than yours. You never know what someone else might tell you that could be a great help in your career.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
Great question; I hope to have a bevy of collectors worldwide. A studio to rival all studios and good health. I would also love to have done more traveling to exotic destinations that positively influence my work.

CLICK HERE to visit Addo’s personal website.