For our ninth interview of the 2022 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to artist and Delaware City Library Assistant Director Kirsten Ashley about the library, Delaware City Day, alternative art venues, demons, ghosts, and *creepy* art. Thanks, Kirsten!
We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? Or do you live in a neighboring state? What brings you to participating in this event?
I have been living in Delaware for the last 11 years. Over that time, I was happy to see the local arts scene blossoming with Bellefonte Arts, Oddball Art Hall, the events at Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, and the Wilmington Art Loop.
If I’ve counted correctly, this is going to be your fourth year participating in DEFAD! You started participating back in 2015 and you’ve joined us off and on over the past 7 years. So in your opinion, what is the best month in the year for the DEFAD “Maker’s Month”? Tell us what gets you motivated to take on a DEFAD project?
Yes, this is my fourth challenge with DEFAD. I love getting out of my comfort zone as an artist and create around a theme for a month-long challenge. It’s also called a challenge for a reason. It’s difficult to create that much work! February is the least stressful month to create for it’s brevity. Creating in September for an October show is the most fun for me, as that’s Halloween season and allows for fun themes.
Your 2022 project theme is “Demon A Day” and you’re creating your own interpretation of demons from various cultural mythologies each day. What cultures did you feel most influenced by as you worked on your project?
I’m an avid lover of storytelling. Folklore and mythology are the building blocks of modern stories in art, books, and media. I like pulling from traditional mythology from various cultures and playing with those ideas in my work.
Which is your favorite demon? Are you strictly influenced by ancient folklore demons from older texts, or also by pop culture demons like those in anime/manga, or film?
I don’t think I could choose a favorite demon! Although I am inspired by the story of Lucifer as a fallen angel and Lilith as the first woman in Jewish texts who rebelled for not being treated as an equal. I’m a big proponent of rebellious, independent thinkers.
You’ve described your artwork as creepy, but I also feel like you have more sub-themes such as body-positivity, feminism, nature, and fantasy… What can you tell us about your favorite subjects and themes? Where do you draw your inspirations from? Do you draw from the world around you or mostly from the stories/films you explore?
Yes, I pull from all those areas. As with many artists, my work is all a part of my inner world. I tend to unintentionally pull inspiration from everything around me. I’m constantly taking photos from nature for future art reference, whether it’s a gorgeous full moon or a strawberry-colored sunset. I, of course, pull inspiration from vintage Halloween, Victorian, and Rococo aesthetics. The body positive figures come from wanting to represent people with bodies like mine. I also pull from books and music. In fact, my art handle Ugly Stepsister is a reference to Gregory Maguire’s Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.
Your fashion is amazing! You often match your art displays and booths. But like with any aesthetic, there are so many niche subsets in goth culture. I couldn’t possibly list them all but some of my favorites are pastel goths and victorian goths. Do you have a go-to style or preferred niche? And is it actually intentional that you match your art or just a happy coincidence? I think many of us artists *want* to match our art, but either due to time, money, motivation - we often look very different from it.
Thank you! I love alternative fashions from goth, punk, and experimental artistic subcultures. I’ve been most inspired by the older 80’s/90’s era “romantic goth” fashion. I’ve been drawing female figures since I was a little girl, and I drew what I thought was most eye-catching. Over time, I have rolled in what I refer to as “librarian chic” and vintage 1920’s-1950’s era fashion to the way I dress, and you can see that in my work. So my art actually gave me an outlet for my love of fashion and led me to embrace the fashion looks and style that I love.
You’ve explored some of the very cool *alternative* art venues in the Delaware area including Talleyville Frame Shoppe, Bellefonte Arts, Oddball Art Hall, and others… Do you think it’s about time we put together a “creepy” art tour in the area? And if so, could you envision yourself leading such an endeavor? The August-October months would make for a perfect Halloween tour season…
I never thought of a creepy art tour, but I absolutely would be up for something like that in Delaware in the future! If any venues are interested in something like that in the future and are reading this, feel free to reach out to me!
Speaking of Spooky Season, do you yourself believe in ghosts? And if so, do they ever influence your artwork?
Ghosts are fun to imagine in the way of white sheets with eye holes cut out, a sad Victorian woman in tattered clothing, jangling chains, etc. However, I think if ghosts are real, it has more to do with a transference of living energy to an ethereal energy. In much the same way alien life probably exists, just not in the way of little green men. Ghosts are also great metaphors for death, mourning, change, or dark romance. In that way, ghosts do inspire my work.
As the Assistant Director of the Delaware City Library, has the local town or surrounding area influenced any of your artwork yet? There are many “creepy” and haunted locations just nearby including the very haunted Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. Any ghost sightings or ominous feelings?
There are many haunted areas in Delaware City. In fact, DC has its own ghost hunting group, the Delaware City Ghost Hunters. In fact, we have hosted them a few times in October library programs. Personally, I have experienced some strange things in the library, which is in an old schoolhouse building built in the 1930’s.
Do you think the Delaware City Library would ever host a “Haunted Art Show & Book Reading” full day event? I see a possibility for collaborating with the town for a ghost tour, and local authors for book signings/readings, and artists for spooky art. With an artist like you on the inside, it would make the event extra special - what do you think?
I would love to do something like that at the library! As the adult programs coordinator, I have a monthly art program I run that has been going strong for about 6 years. I know we have some budding and prolific artists in the area. So we’ll see what the future brings us!
Speaking of your role at the Delaware City Library, you gave out free art kits in June in preparation for Delaware Fun-A-Day and even set up drawing stations for the challenge throughout July for participants. That was really amazing, and helped make the challenge even more accessible for folks. Can you tell us more about the library and the programs that they offer there?
Yes, we did, and it was successful on our first try facilitating Fun-A-Day for the community. We gave out 35 free art kits to teens and adults during the month of June. Our library Director inquired about getting involved, and I was able to use my prior knowledge as a participant for Fun-A-Day to come up with handing out kits. We specifically wanted to give out all the supplies needed to create for all 31 days of the challenge, which can sometimes be a barrier for those who don’t have the budget for art supplies. Our Director Loree created drawing stations for younger kids to participate in July, and we saw many kids and families utilizing them.
We have plans to facilitate the next Fun-A-Day challenge! Regarding the library in general, we are a small-town library with a small, but dedicated staff. We host story times, teen cooking programs, art programs for all ages, including my adult fine art program Art in the Library, and various other music, local history, and STEM events. We have a kids area and a newly opened Teen Room with gaming stations, VR, and, and a maker space. I’m very proud to be a part of the library. You can keep up to date with what the library does by visiting www.DelawareCity.lib.de.us
The Delaware City Library has so many art programs for kids, teens, and adults, and they tie in with literary themes throughout the month, which is really exciting. For folks who are a little hesitant to make new connections, do you have recommendations for how they should start to explore the library?
The great part about a public library is that it can be as hands on or hands off as you’re comfortable with. You can stop by the library to quietly browse books and media. You can ask for assistance from library staff if you would like more information on our programs or services. We often have what is called passive programming, which is a great way to get involved in the library. Those programs are things like scavenger hunts, magnetic poetry, or other interactive things you can do by yourself. Check the library website for what we’re doing each month. We do hope you take the plunge and attend a traditional program like a story time, teen program, or informative program.
Delaware City Day is a fun local community event in October. There’s a parade, lots of vendors and information booths, dining, and some shopping, and other fun happenings. Have you gotten to go yet? And if so, is there anything you’d want other folks to know about it? If you haven’t been do you think you’ll go and check it out?
This year Delaware City Day is on October 8th. It will be the first one I’ll be helping out with as a library staff member. Our Director Loree joined a planning committee, and she’s facilitating making the day a success. It’s a huge city-wide event that attracts a big crowd. The library will be open that day, and we will offer some games for those to come in to get out of the heat or cold (whichever comes our way in October) and relax away from the crowd.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I would just like to thank you and the volunteers at Delaware Fun-A-Day for great experiences.
Where can people see more of your work?
To purchase my work, they can visit my retail space at Bellefonte Arts, located at 803-C Brandywine BLVD in Wilmington. For online orders they can visit my Storenvy Online Shop. To view my work and updates on shows, vending spots, and projects:
Website: www.UglyStepSisterArt.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/StepSisterUgly