Ashley Hawkes

I have been painting and drawing since I was big enough to sit at my mama's kitchen table.

Art and creativity have been woven throughout my 4 decades of life. I attended art classes throughout high school and have completed numerous online watercolor classes and workshops.

I spent most of my 20's and 30's as a professional photographer and it filled my creative bucket. In 2016 I retired my photography business in order to homeschool my 3 kids. That year I also picked up the paintbrush again to continue my interest in watercolor.

I have had my share of health challenges throughout my adult life, but finally, after many MANY surgeries and a lot of prayers, in 2023 I was able to get a kidney transplant that gave me my quality of life back!

I make my home in an old church in Idaho, USA, with my husband, 2 young adult sons, and teenage daughter; who navigates life with Cerebral Palsy. We have two dogs, two cats, and a cute little flock of chickens. Working from home is such a necessity and blessing for me!

I am also humbled to be part of the Daniel Smith Brand Ambassador family since 2023. They are my tribe!

I have done commission-based work, taught watercolor workshops online, and mentored individuals. Although I love doing all of these, what I love the most and want to focus on, is my private mentoring.

I offer my private watercolor mentoring via Zoom, from my cozy attic studio! 

 I help women to overcome their fear and level up their watercolor skills to begin to paint like they've always dreamed of!

I am currently building a watercolor course unlike anything else out there! My plans also include writing a book on painting pet portraits with watercolor.