August 22, 2016

kira nicole branding!



after having a baby last fall, then moving across the country a few months ago, life has been in a constant state of upheaval, but now that i've settled into our new place, i'm finally/slowly making my way back into painting + design [yay!]... and i must say, i absolutely loved working on the first branding project of the year for kira nicole photography!!

it was an absolute delight from start to finish and everywhere in between! our visions aligned and nearly painted themselves on paper... i was merely the vessel for this branding, and i'm so honored and happy to have worked with kira on her fresh revamp!


brainstorming is always my favorite part of the design process, and it came so quickly and naturally with this collaboration! i thought i'd share the initial branding board i sent to kira, just in case you'd like to see a little behind-the-scenes of the creative process. :)


August 16, 2016

enjoy more, worry less

they say that comparison is the thief of joy... but i think anxiety runs a close second. if you've ever struggled with anxiety [like me!], you know the restrictive grip it can have you- you can't seem to get out of your negative headspace long enough to enjoy anything. worry casts a heavy cloud over our lives, causing us to care more about the false 'what-ifs' than enjoying, cherishing, and soaking in the present moments that are the only true realities. what-ifs and worries balloon if left untamed, squeezing out all those things that are true and lovely.

we need to fight for Truth to reign in our souls and thrive in the gifts that He brings - hearts of joy and peace, tongues of thanksgiving and praise, minds of salvation, grace, and courage.

it's much MUCH easier said than done and i find myself slipping back into those anxious spells more than i care to admit... especially as a mom now i'm constantly worrying about that little babes, and it really doesn't matter what i do or don't do - the worry comes with every decision!! battling against those worries is exhausting and sometimes seemingly impossible, but we can do the impossible through Christ, His Word promises that.

it's something worth fighting for, it NEEDS to be fought for... and every little reminder helps! which is what inspired this wallpaper... because sooner or later, those old unwanted guests of worry and fear will sneak back in and gobble up every last drop of happiness, stealing our attention from all the goodness right in front of us - leaving us feeling empty, guilty, and discouraged... feelings that we were never meant to harbor.

so, when those life-sucking thoughts enter, let's turn our focus to what we're thankful for - hugs from our loved ones, food on the table, warmth from the sun, iced lattes with extra shots [#momlife #whatissleep], or just a good book we're reading... it can be big or small, but let's purpose to enjoy more and worry less.

"look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. are you not of more value than they? which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
so why do you worry about clothing? consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet i say to you that even solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, o you of little faith?
therefore do not worry, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' for after all these things the gentiles seek. for your heavenly father knows that you need all these things. 
but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
matthew 6:26-31

love to you!
xo
ash

p.s. people have asked to purchase these in the past, so this wallpaper is available for a limited time as an 8x10 art print in the shop! these will be printed on lovely savoy cotton paper and shipped at the beginning of september.... so you can pre-order them now and get 20% off when you enter code ENJOY20 at checkout until august 31st! :)