We would like to thank Ashlyn for donating designs used on the ASHCAT x LONELY COWBOY collaboration tee, CLICK HERE. Because of her donation and desire to help the community, we are able to continue funding our Lonely Cowboy Scholarships - offered in high schools across the US, awarded to students interested in mental health education.
Ashlyn Workman Q+A:
#1 - Why do you believe taking care of your own mental health is important?
I think self-care is so important to help better our relationships in the outside world, it all starts from the inside-out. Our daily life and how we feel is a reflection of the way we treat ourselves and the world around us.
#2 - What are some practices you do daily to make sure your mental health needs are being met?
Being a self-employed artist who loves my practice I’ve always found it hard to give myself proper time off. I’m slowly getting better at it but I try to let myself rest and relax as much as possible when I do have free time. Staying at home reading a book, playing and listening to music, going for a bike ride in my neighborhood are all things I love doing. On days I do work trying to adapt to a morning and night routine I can easily wind down helps tremendously. I try to see the sunset as much as possible and be outside in nature. I also surround myself with positive friends and family who bring me a lot of joy.
#3 - What's one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
I would tell myself that it’s ok to feel lost and not know the direction of the future. There’s no rush and there’s no timeline you have to follow that seems correct in order to succeed.
#4 - How do you think the education system could do better for mental health education?
I believe there could definitely be more classes/courses provided in school systems especially early on that would help young people learn how to take care of themselves and know how to look out for their peers and others around them.
#5 - What are stereotypes that aren’t true about heavily tattooed individuals?
There are definitely stereotypes that fall into society that heavily tattooed people won’t find jobs but in this day in age so much has changed! The percentage of people with tattoos has gone up so much and at the end of the day we’re all still the same on the inside, while the appearance on the outside/what we choose to do with our bodies doesn’t change at all.
#6 - Give positive words of wisdom/encouragement directed to the next generation of tattoo artists/artists in general
Keep going and sharing your art! Don’t be afraid about what people think and create from the soul. Drawing everyday and find a local community of support online or in person is an amazing way to keep yourself inspired. Art blocks are a part of the process and there will be times that you want to give up but always go after what your heart wants and follow the direction that your intuition is leading you. It’s absolutely possible to make a career out of your art, it all starts with you going after it.
#7 - Do you believe tattoos need to have meaning?
Not at all. I think the act of getting a tattoo has everything to do with making us feel better in our skin and whether the art has meaning or not isn’t important whatsoever. I used to be hyper conscious of wanting my own to all mean something but when I let go of that idea and started to see them as almost timestamps throughout my life it really changed my outlook. We can all be walking works of art with designs of all kinds!
Follow Ashlyn on IG @ashcat.art to see more of her work!