ashley armbruster

My Darling Pingo

2011-07-05T21:40:00.001-07:00

My final piece for the Curious Fury show. So glad to be done.

Paloma the Permanant Pony

2011-06-30T22:30:00.001-07:00

The Conundrum of Crutch

2011-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

This one took a bit longer, cuz it counts as two...

The Influence of Chippy

2011-06-06T21:51:00.001-07:00

Oh influences. They can be good. They can be bad. This is what happens when my toys influence my art...

Bitsy

2011-05-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

My fifth painting of the month.

Miss Limbly

2011-05-25T21:25:00.001-07:00

My fourth painting this month. AND i teach kindergarten 40 hours a week. How's that for motivation? or insanity. or both?

Trinidad Phinnlywinks

2011-05-18T20:48:00.001-07:00

She's magical.

Freaks and whatnot...

2011-05-13T18:19:00.001-07:00

Bicephalus Amusements
Dollives

Scotchy

2011-04-12T17:40:00.001-07:00

I did this last month but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Got a new computer, too. Also, this was a present for a dear friend's birthday.

Who's Afraid?

2011-02-26T14:14:00.001-08:00

Clearly this Little Red isn't. She decided to behead the fiend, rather than give into his trickster wolfy ways. (16x20)

Spectral Incursions

2011-01-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

Trying to do at least a painting a month, now that I'm all happy again. Perhaps they'll all include clawfoot tubs. Ghosts here. Had a weird Ouija board experience last night. I love the ghosties...

Clawcto

2010-12-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

I know, i've been away. Having some hard times, but things are better now.

Fatamari

2010-08-28T00:29:00.000-07:00

Hahhaa. oh man, i crack myself up. Just got the opportunity to do a Katamari show in a few days so of course I said yes and of course I busted this out tonight. Huzzah!

Hop, hop, Mr Bubbles!

2010-08-15T22:58:00.001-07:00

Video game obsession becomes artistic inspiration. From Bioshock. Little sister and big daddy toy she made.

Puppet bloods

2010-08-10T23:04:00.001-07:00

Turning a trucker hat into art...

2010-06-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Easier than i thought it would be. Been working on new stuff. Secret stuff. Was going to keep this secret, but i'm bad at keeping secrets and i didn't want you all to think i got on the lazy train! I'm teaching kindergarten now so I don't have quite as much time as i used to, but it's so fun! I'll never stop the arts, don't worry! All will be revealed soon...

Jellied and Fried

2010-05-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Toast your jelly and egg your fries. Right? This one is 18x24. Took a bit longer, but so worth it.

process...

2010-04-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

so far...so good... it's going to be big. breakfasty. and glorious.

Fat. Princess.

2010-04-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

It's not that I haven't been making stuff, I just haven't blogged it. Here's something I just did from the video game Fat Princess. It's like capture the flag, but you capture the fat princess. This is what happens when she gets tired of eating cake...

templeton.

2010-03-02T00:05:00.001-08:00

My Vomintine

2010-01-25T23:07:00.000-08:00

I know i keep doing various versions of this painting, but it's fun. And barfing hearts is funny.

Paddleball. Face. Fail.

2010-01-11T00:41:00.000-08:00

My Mothling

2009-12-29T00:48:00.000-08:00

For Curtis...

Sausage Mittens

2009-12-19T21:13:00.001-08:00

This sausage is so mean and spicy, that this little butcher's gotta have mittens to harness its power!

Moooore. Make excellent Xmas presents...

2009-12-10T11:10:00.001-08:00

Pin Cat

2009-11-30T22:50:00.001-08:00

Sponkey

2009-11-30T13:12:00.000-08:00

For a last minute show. Like, tomorrow. I'm going to do one more tonight.

wishpies...

2009-11-22T15:54:00.001-08:00

more...

2009-11-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

i quit my second job...so i am making these now for moneys. we'll see how that goes....

Stella the Stache-tastic.

2009-10-16T22:09:00.001-07:00

Circus stuff was requested for the gallery show coming up at work. The problem is, I can only submit 6 pieces...I'm going to have to narrow my freak stuff down a bit.

Update date.

2009-10-16T20:43:00.001-07:00

Bad at updating. Moving. Lots of sad stuff happening in my little world. It's not that I stopped working, I just am bad at updating. Timmy Tender and brooches. More soon.

Pony Boy

2009-09-19T23:45:00.001-07:00

Wishpy

2009-09-05T20:48:00.001-07:00

little sketchings.

2009-08-18T19:41:00.001-07:00

i especially like the Roboctopus. He will be a painting soon.

Owltopus lives!

2009-07-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Another octopus hybrid creature. This one was inspired by someone quite special. This is going to be part of a series I think... They are small! Owltopus is 4"x4" or so...

Owlctopus

2009-07-26T16:42:00.001-07:00

Ghost baby tentacles vomit.

2009-07-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Not sure what to call this one. It's for my best friend for her day of birth. I normally don't paint things for people, but this is what she really wanted. I'm really enjoying these ghosty creatures. More to come, indeeeed!

Bocktopus told me to paint Bocktopus

2009-07-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Some sketchings.

2009-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Just a couple sketches I liked and felt like scanning. Check out the Bocktopus.

Zombie

2009-07-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

The mother from the epic zombie film, Dead Alive. She's about to eat her ear out of her custard. Becoming a zombie is rough. I painted this for someone I love.

The remainder of the Armless Army

2009-06-08T13:55:00.001-07:00

more armless stuff.

2009-05-30T21:18:00.001-07:00

Tiny Show...Shrunkadunk

2009-05-23T14:49:00.001-07:00

These are for a show in July called The Tiny Show. I decided to use shrinky dink sheets to make itty bittiness. It's a very unpredictable thing to use for fine art. Some of them have bulbous heads and whatnot, but it's great! This series is called The Armless Army and these are the 6 I have completed so far. I plan on doing 20 or so. They're all about 2 1/2" x 4". More to come!

blippy skippy

2009-05-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of sketchbook stuff lately that I need to scan, but I did this piece tonight instead of scanning.

Stamped Tramp

2009-04-21T12:11:00.001-07:00

This piece is for Tender Loving Empire next month. The title of the show is "wish you were here". Artists were asked to make art out of something they could mail, so I found this sad envelope at work and decided to use it. The show will run from May 7-30.

My website!

2009-04-06T23:17:00.001-07:00

www.ashleyarmbruster.com
it's MAGICAL!

Now you may see these...

2009-04-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

Since my show is now under way, these "secret" paintings can be made public. The show opening was a huge success! Pretty much everyone I know in Portland attended, friends co-worker friends and then some! It was QUITE the magical evening.

Plumped Promo

2009-03-20T21:43:00.001-07:00

Solo show at Moshi Moshi on first Thursday...

2009-03-14T10:21:00.001-07:00

So, I have some very exciting news...I have a solo show next month at Moshi Moshi, here in Portland. The title of the show will be "Plumped" so expect some puffy gals. I will post the promo flier as soon as my lovely friend Julia is done with the text. There will be a few new things there that I'm currently working on, though I'm just going to show you snippets of them as they are SECRET until the show opens. It's so hard for me to keep secrets so we'll see if I can pull it off. More info and art to come!
Chin Strap

SECRET!

more, but not new

2009-03-07T19:35:00.001-08:00

Nothing new, just a few sketches from a couple weeks ago. I'm feeling better about things, but not normal. I'm moving into my own apartment at the end of the month and I think the change of scenery will help me get back into things. Until then, I have these. The cape guy is based on a real guy I saw in a coffee shop. He was wearing a cape like it was the most normal thing in the world. It was pretty special.

drawers

2009-02-28T11:21:00.001-08:00

Here's Sven Sporkington.

Raccoons come from eggs...

2009-02-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

So, at work the other day one of the kids was drawing a raccoon. I was trying to explain to him what they looked like when he interrupted with, "Did you know, that actually, raccoons come from eggs?" It was hilarious. He had a whole explanation about how he witnessed this miracle. So i drew this little creepy one hatching.
What happens when mopping mops you.

i know, i know

2009-02-24T11:58:00.001-08:00

So I haven't updated my blog in a month. I've been busy working, being sick and working on stuff for my soon-to-be website. That's right, a real one. My friend Lisa is making it for me in trade for one of my Blythe dolls, whom I don't even miss. Here's what I've done so far and a couple sketches to tide you over til my next blogging urge.

Ninjas are sweet...

2009-01-24T18:42:00.000-08:00

This piece is for Moshi Moshi Gallery for February's first Thursday. I was asked to do it just last week and since I can't refuse a show, let alone a Valentine show, I said yes though time was a factor. But due to my super productiveness lately, I started and finished it today. AND I finished a sketchbook! I'm doing three shows next month and I'm super excited about all of them! Now, go lick some ninjas!

...guess i'll go eat worms...

2009-01-23T22:25:00.001-08:00

for those of you who don't like this guy... This drawing will be in a presidential show at Guapo Comics here in Portland next Saturday night. Come see the gloriousness if you can. There's going to be lots of great stuff!

Teena

2009-01-18T22:28:00.001-08:00

Sketch-plosion

2009-01-18T13:38:00.001-08:00

Here are some sketches I deemed worthy to be blogged. I've been drawing lots, painting less, but drawing drawing every day. I should really update this thing more...

2008-12-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

The stupid "arctic blast" is over and I'm home from Xmas and way more motivated. I drew this in the car yesterday. I've been thinking about her for awhile. She collects chins. In addition to her own puffy chins, she likes to tie on additional ones to sass up her image. People collect weird things. I once knew someone with their daughter's umbilical cord and son's foreskin pinned to his hat. I collect old decrepit creepy toys. They make me so happy, yet they are off-putting to most. My sister got me this doll for Xmas. She's amazing and I love her.

"chin collector"
Myrtle. (named after Myrtle Corbin, as they are both so special to me)

present...

2008-12-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

I painted this for Toby for xmas. The blanket and sock doll are things from his childhood he still loves very much. The dinosaur is just neat (because of the pants and the skates). I am really bad at giving presents because I always either give them early or tell people what they are. I painted this today and made him unwrap it tonight. But he loved it, so it's alright. Plus he has lots more presents to open before we leave for xmas.

freaks

2008-12-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

Harry Williams. New series to come. More special freaks to come.

owl brooch

2008-12-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

I made this owl brooch tonight for a gift for a party at work. I'm hoping hoo-ever gets it appreciates it. Oh, and don't be fooled by the massive pictures. This little guy is less than 2" tall.

Art Show Fun!

2008-12-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Thank you to ALL of my friends who came out to support me at my art show last night. I appreciate it more than you know. It was such a great turnout and I got some really good feedback on my art. Here are some photos of the show taken by Shannie since I was carrying my Blythe around instead of my camera. Thanks again, friends!

That's my artwork behind me and my poofiness.

Shannie, Alice and I have the prettiest shoes ever. And we all looked sickeningly cute.

Tilly and Roby Make Bony Wishes

2008-11-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here's the final piece for my show next month. I didn't think I could bust out another one, but I did and it's something a bit different than what I normally do. I have always loved people in animal hats though, including myself and my cat.
Also, show details are now in!
Where: Brian Marki Gallery, here in Portland. (google it)
When: Friday, December 5 from 5-8 PM.
I'll probably be there around 7 since I have to work til 6. I'll try and get off a bit early though so I can get all fancied up.

Myrtle

2008-11-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is more of what I was talking about in my previous post. For those of you who don't know, this is Myrtle Corbin. She was a sideshow freak and I think she's incredible. I scanned this from a copy of a photo I bought at an antique store a couple years ago and she lives on my wall with my paintings and other "freak" photos. Those little legs are that of Myrtle's parasitic twin. She was said to have given birth from both sets of legs and this little twin earned her about $450 a week, which in the late 1800s, was on obscene amount of money. She's so special to me that she inspired me to make a parasitic twin Blythe custom, which is something no one in the Blythe community had previously done. Her name is Palindrome and her parasitic twin (head) is named Jojobee. I also made another sideshow Blythe named Pinchy. She's mean and she is equipped with crab pinchers (made of sculpey and removable).People like Myrtle inspired me to do these things and hopefully she'll help spark some ideas for my new series.

Revolvy-evolvy-lution

2008-11-26T22:53:00.000-08:00

I've noticed lately that my art hasn't really evolved in awhile, besides the whole sculpey thing. As and artist, I think one's art should always be growing and changing. Some of the artists I have encountered just stick to the same thing, because people like it, because it's easy. I would rather be challenged because if I'm not, I get bored. I obviously don't do my art so people will "like it" or I'd paint nice pictures of pretty girls instead of the plump and sometimes ugly people I do paint. I just see things this way and don't think I should paint something "nice" because there's beauty in ugliness and ugliness in beauty. I'd like to start painting things in a new way, whether new characters pop out of my head, or perhaps I'll try a new surface (though my dad just made me tons of lovely panels to paint on, so I should probably use those first). I want to depict more what's in my head. Darker things, but not just to be darkish, just more accurately translate from what my imagination sees. Those who aren't really close to me don't think of me as having a dark side because I'm always dressed all pink and fluffy with lots of bows and ruffles. Those who do, know that I can be pretty sick. Not just in a dark-sidey spooky way, but poop is funny and so are giant ladies with rat-tails dangling on the backs of their roly-poly heads. I enjoy gawkinesss, geekishness and freaks. Love the circus freaks. They're so special and interesting, not only their abnormalities, but the lives the lead in the circus and in great wealth they obtained for their oddness. Perhaps I will do a really graphic freak series. I have some sketches already, but I'd like to turn those into really detailed and intense paintings. Alright I think I have gone on long enough on this topic for now and it probably won't make sense when I re-read it so I'm going to stop myself here. Also, this below image isn't anything along the lines of the above statements, but just something I drew last night that I enjoy.

Mop Swap!

2008-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry to keep you all waiting for an update, but I've been sick for over a week and just now feel well enough to paint. But I sat down today for 4 hours and busted out "Mop Swap". Moppa enjoys trading out her toupees when they get scroungy. Moppa loves her mops on her top. This might be the last painting in the series for my show next month, depending on if I have any time this week to do another. Please enjoy this one until the next one arrives in bloggyland.

Myrtle McMonkeyface

2008-11-17T13:32:00.001-08:00

Mmmk friends, sorry for the long wait for better photos. I was quite sick all weekend and didn't really leave my couch. But, as promised, here are some new pictures of my latest sculpey/painty piece. She's a silly one.

always inspired by:

2008-11-14T22:34:00.001-08:00

Weird circus monkey masks found at antique stores. First of all, I apologize for the craptastic photos. I will try to take a pretty one tomorrow when there is daylight, but I just couldn't wait to show those who actually read my blog. Also, I got a fisheye/wide angle lens (for the fisheye, because they are neat) and it's stuck to my camera. I couldn't take detailed closeup shots without my fatty lens getting in the way of the peepy pop-up flash. Ok, then, now you look at these pictures and let me know your thoughts. I'll be anxiously awaiting your comments. Also, work hasn't been pooping out of me as quickly as normal as I have two jobs now and I keep getting sick from the little germballs I work with. Be patient, my little darlings.

I made her whole face under the mask except for her nose. It's really much more exciting in person when you can actually see her peepers lopsidedly (wow...they are letting me call that a word?) looking out the holes of the mask.

Sock Fiend

2008-11-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

A sock fiend is a nice way of saying sock whore. This person eats, sleeps and poops socks. Wearing them is only for amateurs. A true fiend, like Taffy Slinkerton here, is a sock whore through and through. You can see her in person at my show in December. More details about the show will be revealed at an appropriate time.

Sock Fiend, part II

2008-11-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

So, here she is. I can't decide whether I want to leave the background woodgrain and pour epoxy resin over the whole thing to give it that thick lovely luster or to do something else with the background. I usually have a plan for this as I go, but not this time. Any suggestions are welcome. Blank or something else? But what would that something else be?

Socks so far

2008-11-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here's the start of the new painting I'm working on. I like the sock theme because I like socks. They make me feel safe for some reason. I feel very vulnerable without them.

If you don't like clowns...or socks....

2008-11-02T23:32:00.001-08:00

...then you should probably look away now. Since my sketchbook is now full, I am dumping my last few favorite images. Some for the show next month, some not.
I love socks, and apparently, so does she. Ever worn socks in the bathtub? It feels neat.
Pingo, my feral clown and his new friend. I love Pingo because of his rare specialness and his scary (but lovable) face.

Her power is shrimp chip eating.
Do pandas have dander? I'd like to see some pander dander.

Feet of a cluck cluck on the hands hands.

Inspired by LittleBigPlanet, my new video game. It's incredible, beautiful and probably the most creative and inventive game I've ever played. I mustn't let myself get too addicted or distracted....

Secretary of Meat.

2008-10-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

I just finished this piece for my show in December. I'm not quite sure on the title yet. I guess something involving meat and typing. The text says "Hints to meal planners- Many of the thriftier cuts of meat are favorites with men." The little booklet it came from was published in 1941, when it was common for the wife to cook thrifty meats for her hard working man. I found it at an antique store a couple of years ago along with another booklet on diseases and what capsules to take for them. Some of the descriptions of these ailments are quite graphic. These little booklets make me very happy and so does this meat secretary. Hey, possible title? More delightful dishes to be served up later.

Shark Hand-ler.

2008-10-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I love bad puns. I guess this isn't an official title for this gal, but it's amusing at the moment. I received a little shark finger puppet at the Halloween Blythe meet the other night and now I've found a purpose for it. I'm working on stuff for a show I have in December. Lots of fatty freaks and...typing on meat. More to come...

"come play with us, danny...forever and ever and ever..."

2008-10-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

Since it's the month of spookies and teeth eating candy, I thought I'd post my character paintings from the Shining I did last year for Floating World Comics. The show was titled, A Life in Pictures and we could interpret Stanley Kubrick's work and life in any way we imagined. The most influential thing he did, to me, were the characters from The Shining. They could not have been more perfectly casted, nor rendered into their horrific roles. I decided to paint them, in my style in his honor.

i like freaks.

2008-10-17T22:20:00.001-07:00

i'm going to do some more freak stuff, mostly because they are wonderful.

Meet my model, Olga

2008-10-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

No, friends, this is not an obese ET with boobs. (though it looks this way the more I stare at it) It is my new friend, Olga. She will be my model for my character drawings. She's made of unbaked sculpey so she's free to move her face, arms, ands and boobs. I got the idea for her when I (this is embarrassing) tried to use one of those wooden drawing mannequins the other day. I failed miserably of course, since my figures are neither fit nor proportionate. So I briskly returned the stupid contraption for a bit of armature wire, for the arms (arm-ature! PUN!) Anyway, I think she'll work out quite nicely for drawing my figures in new poses. If she acts up, into the oven with her!

2008-10-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

cushy. monday night's drawing. all patchy and poked full of pins, her curiosity still remains.

2008-10-12T23:34:00.001-07:00

bristle.

fin. toothys for loofy.

2008-10-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

dimension, the third.

2008-10-11T10:50:00.001-07:00

sculpey is my friend.

brooches.

(some have boobs)

i made this ol' cowpoke for my dad.

a bowling pin/sculpey/fabric piece

doodles and schmoodles

2008-10-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

i am going to paint this gal next. she is a
toupee collector.

some progress scans of the painting
i am working on. toothy loofy.

From Sketchy McBook.

2008-10-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

sketchbook findings and possible paintings.

Art art here here.

2008-10-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Instead of making a website, which I cannot afford or maintain, I will be posting my artwork here, blog style! (this might get awkward, as I have never done this) I will try and post past and current works as I see fit. I'm going to start selling prints again in my etsy shoppe as well as my octopus brooches. Here goes...

I just finished this one a week or so ago. It was inspired by a real person I saw at the bus stop. Giant rat tail awesomeness.
"Rat Tails"
acrylic on wooden panel

Ok, this one is more recent. I had this in a show in May at the Pony Club, in Portland.
"The Peanut Bandits"
acrylic/fabric/string

She has scabs. She picks them.
"Scabette"
acrylic and fabric on wood

"Fatty Patty"
acrylic on wood

This is one of my favorites from a couple years ago.
"How to Befriend the Canaries of the Peas"
acrylic and magic