7 Likes with Ransom Ashley
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Ransom Ashley is a photographer, actor, and cinematographer. He attended Parsons School of Design in New York City where he concentrated on photography and received his Bachelor’s in Psychology. He has shown his work internationally (London, Brighton, and Budapest) and has been included in shows at the New Britain Museum of American Art, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and Masur Museum of Art, amongst many others. No stranger to print, he’s been featured in Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Deadline, Wonderland Magazine, Metal Magazine, and Dazed and Confused. Largely informed by his coming-of-age experience in the south, his work continues to push boundaries within the contemporary art scene which often fails to illuminate the stories of the socially marginalized.Today, Ransom spends his time working with publications and galleries between NYC and Austin. We caught up with the artist to ask him to share the seven things he’s most interested in at the moment. This is what he said...
1 | Rare plants --
Since moving to Austin and having access to so many amazing plant nurseries, I’ve fallen in love with rare plant species. I just bought a Dorstenia Gigas that looks like it’s straight out of a Dr. Seuss novel. It’s an excellent conversation piece, but also something that makes my home feel like even more of an escape.
2 | Hand-crafted ceramic kitchenware --
I’ve never put much thought into my dinnerware because it hides behind cabinets most of the time. Lately, however, I’ve fallen in love with creating tablescapes and more curated dining experiences. Using a set of well made ceramic flatware is a quick way to make dinner with your loved ones in the evening feel even more special.
3 | Nighttime beauty routines --
I am obsessed with the nighttime skincare routine trend that’s happening on YouTube. It’s exciting to see what people like Demi Moore and Cindy Crawford do to age more gracefully and I’ve actually found a lot of really effective products through these videos.
4 | The Ordinary --
I just did a skincare overhaul to streamline my nighttime routine and discovered a brand called The Ordinary. They have cutting edge formulas for a fraction of the price of luxury brands -- I highly recommend!
5 | Taking risks --
Since I’m new to Austin, I’ve been intentionally pushing myself both personally and creatively. I don’t hesitate to ask for drinks or dinner with the people that inspire me or to reach beyond what I feel like I’m ready for artistically. Things have been better than I could’ve imagined because of me putting myself out there -- even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Growth is uncomfortable.
6 | Wombat art boxes --
Wombat is a Paris-based publishing house that collaborates with artists on collectible limited edition art boxes. The boxes are beautifully designed and the perfect interactive coffee table staple. I’ve been obsessed with them for a long time and recently had the chance to collaborate with them on my own edition.
7 | Self-love --
My schedule is often crazy and can easily lead to skipping meals and sleep to keep up with the grind. Lately, I’ve been practicing self care in a variety of ways. Whether it’s allowing myself a full night’s rest or keeping fresh flowers in the house, it’s those little things that make me feel both happy and productive.
