Ashley Longshore Gets Blunt: Self-Represented Artist Spills Hustle Secrets

JACQ FRANCES in CONVERSATION with ASHLEY LONGSHORE

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY of ASHLEY LONGSHORE

“She’s having a fun time. she makes really fun art and she’s self-represented, I really admire that. People didn’t think she was bankable and she was just like, “Watch me.”

Said Jacq Frances (FKA Jacq The Stripper) when asked who were some of her biggest influences as an artist back in her feature interview back in 2021 for Volume 3. Now they say don't meet your idols, but four years later when choosing an interviewer for this piece we jumped at the chance to link her

with Ashley Longshore for a blunt and juicy conversation on the hustle secrets.

PHOTO by MARY ELLEN MATTHEWS

How Ashley Longshore Dismantled the Gallery System

ASHLEY LONGSHORE

...Since moving my gallery to New York, I've never had this much opportunity. I'm a sucker for opportunity. I'm working myself to death in a good way, but I also know I need to take better care of

myself.

PETIT MORT (jacq frances)

I totally get that. First off, I want to say I'm a huge fan. You've inspired so much of my work and so many amazing women in the art community. I’m really grateful for this conversation. And I feel you on the burnout—let's try to keep this as relaxed as possible. I also feel this pressure as a woman to keep pushing, to keep my metaphorical Ferrari in fifth gear, because I have something to prove. With everything going on, especially the election, I feel like I’m working triple time for my girls out there. It's hard being the one who’s unapologetically cutting a new path.

How do you recharge?

I love laying in bed watching movies or taking long bubble baths. I can spend hours in a bath just coming up with ideas; water helps me think clearly. I also love nature, so anytime I can find a tree or observe little creatures, it makes me happy.

How do you get your nature fix in New York?

In my new apartment, there are trees everywhere. This morning, I watched a falcon hunting pigeons outside my window while it was raining. It was incredible. Besides that, I have a farm in Louisiana, and

I’ve been exploring places upstate, around Hudson. I’m looking for somewhere that feels gay and lively—I love the queer community. Hudson felt perfect. It’s full of theater people, flamboyant energy— my kind of crowd.

Flamboyant and raising chickens.

Exactly. My connection to the LGBTQ+ community comes from seeing how they face something society deems abnormal and say, “This is me, and I don’t fit your mold, but I love myself and I don’t care what you think.” Right now, I'm really into punk and rebellion in my own way. It’s a fascinating time to be an artist—especially for sensitive, creative people.

Tell me about your early days of painting. When did you start doodling, and what were you creating?

I was always doodling in school, constantly getting in trouble. I was chatty and couldn’t sit still. My mom had me in every extracurricular activity—tap, ballet, gymnastics—but never art. She didn’t think I could sit still long enough. At 18, I bought an art kit, sat down, and before I knew it, six hours had passed. It was like meditation; such a peaceful, hypnotic experience.

Do you create art in any way?

Yes! I’m an artist, an illustrator, painter, and comedian. I totally relate to your brashness, your confrontational, unapologetic attitude. I love that about you.

We won’t apologize for capitalism.

We won’t apologize for wanting financial independence. I mean, how many ways do we need to explain whether or not we’re with a man? Labels like Ms., Mrs., Miss—why should I have to define myself in terms of that? I want independence in every aspect of my life— financial, romantic, and with my friendships. That’s freedom. The American dream. I won’t let anyone, especially the media or haters, stand in my way. Sure, I’ll cry and get upset sometimes, but even a Rolls Royce can get a flat tire. You change the tire

and keep going.

I admire how grounded and confident you are. I love that you built your own team. You’ve created this empire on your own.

It’s all about rebellion. From the start, galleries told me I got rejection letters. But instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself, I decided to figure out how to do it on my own. Independence. Thanks

to social media and the internet, it’s easier than ever to connect. I think marketing is as creative as making the art itself.

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