Check Out Morgan Ashley’s Story

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

Hi Morgan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m not sure if I ever “got started”; it feels more like a calling I’ve had since I was old enough to be aware of my own existence. During my teenage years, I began leaning more into art as a way to cope with my mental health. At the same time, with the mounting pressure of choosing a career-path, I came to the realization that the only way I would be happy having to work forever would be to find a way to immerse myself in the art industry.
The day of my 20th birthday, I drove to a tattoo shop in my hometown and sat with the owner for two hours while he dissected the drawings I had brought with me. At the end of our conversation, to my surprise, he offered to teach me the art of tattooing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Three weeks before I was offered my apprenticeship, I was assaulted. I was left broken and directionless. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the Universe was conspiring to guide me toward my true path. While trying to navigate the waves of perceived shame and the lost sense of security, I made the pivotal decision I to leave my nightclub job and returned to my first love: art.

While I will credit the shop I began at for allowing me to get my foot in the door, I did not stay there long. The second and third shops had various issues relating to the drug use of the owners, and both ended up closing their doors. I had many fellow artists who taught me things in passing over the years but I did not have a formal apprenticeship. I eventually landed in the small mountain town of Jasper, Georgia, where I worked for almost 2 years.

The day after Thanksgiving 2020, I pulled out the small amount I had saved, left the life I had known in Georgia, and headed to Nashville. While to visiting family for the holidays, I watched in horror from my parent’s living room while the news stations reported a bombing in downtown Nashville. The shop I moved to work for and everything in it were gone. For months following the events of Christmas Day, I returned to work in Jasper and would commute back to Nashville every weekend to try to find a new footing in the neon-lit life I had my eyes set on.

Despite everything, the biggest struggle I have faced, has been myself. Being an artist I have always been my biggest critic. Since I was a child my father has told me that, “the enemy of success is not failure but contentment”. My own unwillingness to settle is what keeps me going. I will never be as good as I want to be but as long as I continue to grow and create, I am doing what I was put here to do. Everyday is chance to a choose: give up or bite down and prove how much I want to be here.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a tattoo artist who combines elements of multiple styles to create unique pieces for my clients. I’m most known for my illustrative floral designs, which blend intricate details with bold aesthetics.

I’m most proud of my ability to express emotions or tell a story through art. Each piece reflects not only my technical skill but also the experiences that have shaped me. I take great pride in my ability to connect with others, whether that be inspiring someone to view the world differently or evoking a sense of nostalgia. Additionally, I cherish the moments my art has brought joy to others, highlighting my belief that art can foster connection and understanding.

Pricing:

• Pricing is based per piece.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyfacetattoos/?hl=en