Faith Through Art: Alumna Ashley Huff Becomes a Full-time Studio Artist and Business Owner

Dallas Baptist University alumna Ashley Huff '24 is building a successful career as a full-time studio artist and business owner, using her creative gifts to serve others and reflect her faith through art. Since graduating in Spring 2024, Ashley has expanded her professional portfolio through commissioned work, gallery exhibitions, and original pieces, establishing herself as an emerging artist with both purpose and vision.

Raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Ashley came to know the Lord at a young age after her mother shared the Gospel with her. Though she did not fully understand everything at the time, her early faith laid a foundation that would continue to shape both her personal life and creative work.

During her sophomore year in high school, Ashley toured DBU and instantly fell in love with the campus, its Christ-centered atmosphere, and its promising art program. Once she became a student, Ashley joined Kappa Gamma, where she enjoyed participating in Greek Life's annual Spring Sing production. She also traveled with Global Studies, including a trip to Rome and Athens, and served as a SWAT Corp Captain for Yorktown in the Fall of 2023.

Throughout her time at DBU, Ashley received many recognitions in the University's art and design competitions, including best in show and honorable mention awards. She placed second and third for three different pieces and received first place for her piece titled Excelsior!, done in graphite. In addition, Ashley holds a place in the International Art Honors Society, Kappa Pi, which recognizes artists of various styles from all around the world.

Shortly after graduating in spring 2024 from the Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art Program and minoring in entrepreneurship, Ashley married Wesley and moved to Oklahoma City, where she became a full-time Studio Artist. In this role, Ashley shares how she hopes her artwork "brings a little bit of the Lord's light back into the world and benefits society one person at a time."

As a studio artist, Ashley primarily focuses on commission work, where she takes a client's vision and transforms it into a custom piece of art they can cherish forever. In addition to her commissioned pieces, Ashley offers original and print artwork, greeting cards, and live wedding paintings. "Being part of a couple's special day and bringing that to life as a masterpiece on canvas is something I treasure dearly," she says.

Continuing to see her hard work pay off, Ashley has exhibited twelve of her pieces at the Epiphany Gallery in Garland, Texas, which was one of the largest art shows she has participated in.

One of Ashley's original works is also showcased today in the permanent collection at the Museum of Jurassic Technology in California. The piece is an oil painting of the dog, Laika, who was the first living creature sent to space by the Soviet Union in 1957. The museum acquired the painting to display alongside other works that feature various dogs that were sent into space by the Soviets.

Through the guidance of DBU's art program, Ashley strengthened the technical skills that she would need as an artist and refined the God-given talent that she already possessed. She recalls how her oil painting classes were especially impactful for her today, as it has become her primary specialization.

Since graduating, Ashley has found great fulfillment in the growth of her business as an artist. Even more meaningful to her, however, is starting a family with her husband, as they are expecting a baby boy.

Today, Ashley continues to hold onto the values of servant leadership that she learned at DBU, applying them to both her career and her creative process as she grows as an artist, business owner, and follower of Christ.

Encouraging current and future DBU students in their own career pursuits, Ashley advises them to constantly pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance in every decision. She has done this throughout her own career and says that "taking a step back and trusting God has been one of the best things I have ever done."

As Ashley reflects on her life and career after graduating, she would tell her younger self to never give up and to keep pushing forward, even when challenges come. She prays that as she continues along her path, her artwork will reflect her faith and provide meaning to every client she gets to serve.