Ashley Simpson is a New England-based artist who recently graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration and Sculpture. She is passionate about storytelling and connecting with others through her illustration work. She is currently working on a children's book that is very close to her heart about navigating her relationship with her younger brother, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder as a child. As a cross-disciplinary artist curious about engaging with new modalities of making, Ashley integrates her sculpture skills into her illustration practice, valuing the experience of working with her hands. She is a proficient woodworker and metalsmith who uses these skills in her ever-growing art practice. Ashley has exhibited and sold her self-published zines at the MoCCA Arts Fest, RISD Unbound, and RISD Craft. Her deep love for animals complements Ashley's artistic pursuits. Sharing her home with three rescue dogs and a rescue parrot, she strongly advocates `for animal welfare. Her passion for nature and the outdoors is evident in her work, and she is currently teaching herself how to roller skate, a testament to her adventurous spirit.