Ashleigh Menzies

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hey there! I’m Ashleigh. I live in the gorgeous Port Macquarie area of NSW, but this is a recent change and I’m actually a born and bred West Aussie. I love the natural world, and my hubby Josh and I get out amongst it as often as we can. We’ve loved exploring this new part of Australia!

I did an apprenticeship in Floristry straight out of school, and while I’m not working in the industry anymore, it really formed the love and appreciation of flowers that I have.

What is your favourite drink?
Black coffee in the morning, green tea through the day, and basically anything that’s a little bit ‘stronger’ in the evening - though I do especially enjoy sharing a beer with my man, he’s a bit of a connoisseur in that area.

What inspired you to start painting/drawing?
I’ve always loved anything of a creative nature, and I can particularly recall drawing a lot at a young age. I first tried my hand at painting in my teens, and fell in love quickly.

Though I always dreamed of being an artist, I never thought it was a realistic goal and so I didn’t pursue it. It’s only recently I’ve found myself in a position where I potentially can make that dream a reality, so here I am giving it a crack!

What advice would you give other artists/creatives starting out?
I don’t know that I’m in any position to give advice… maybe check back with me in a few years time, and we’ll see if I’ve even made a success of myself first! But one thing I will say is this: comparison is the thief of joy. Let other people’s work make you inspired, not insecure.