Meet Ashlee Dunlap | Visual artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlee Dunlap and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My name is Ashlee Dunlap, also known as Ath Wonder Art. The name “Ath Wonder” conveys a message to the people: The letter A is my first name initial, and is the highest symbol of wisdom in the alphabet. A is a symbol from heaven. Ath is phonetically pronounced as 8th which represents a message from the angels.
I’d like to think of my work as embodying the definition of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World: Any wonder of the world in its most basic senses means something that causes astonishment or admiration because of the magnificence of their creation.
Thus we have: Ath Wonder Art.
As for my artistic point of view, I’d like to think of my work as, iconography; reimagined. I focus on portraits, obsessed with capturing nuanced facial expressions and light sources. My work is a kaleidoscope of what has influenced and inspired me along my journey. A marriage of my LA centric lifestyle and my world travels.
I would say that I while I celebrate Black icons, my work is not limited to “traditional Black art”. I take iconography from pop culture, run it through the Ath Wonder filter, and then reintroduce it from my perspective.
As I look back on how I got to this place in my career, it’s really been a very organic process all along. I’ve been consistently developing my process, posting my work on my social media, and getting unrelenting support from my people. I am so proud to be showing my art at the Black Girl Art Show https://blackgirlartshow.com/?fbclid=PAAabPhPlUG_I3NfkyFoeRHLdLwLiSUVObFEqhvqBSio4iiBEdyypOSGpAEKw. This is the biggest body of work I will be showcasing to date.
Was getting here easy? Of course not. You see, as a recovering alcoholic, my pathway to this place in time has seen a lot of dark days and broken hearts. When you’ve been to rock bottom, preparing for a huge show, happy and sober; the gratitude just hits different.
I can look back at my older work and see what ive painted drunk, and what I’ve painted sober. My sobriety journey is within the strokes of all my work.
As challenging as things have been, whether it’s been with my sobriety, or with the blockages that you face as a creative Black woman, I’m blessed to be an artist in this lifetime and to be able to express what I love through this process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well the first things first we gotta hit up Leimert Park. As one of the last historically BLACK places in Los Angeles, the cultural experience you get from Leimert Park is truly unmatched. From the Farmers Market, to the drum circles, to the local merchants, the community is so unique it has to be experienced to be understood. The fashion and music… it’s just overflowing with Black beauty. Next stop is Melrose. I have to bring my people to all the places that are a part of my story and experience. The visual landscape that is Melrose is just a glimpse into what makes Los Angeles a fashion Mecca. Next, we gotta pop into Melrose Trading Post and of course, the eclectic Farmers Market.
While we’re at Melrose, I’d have to introduce them to the Poetry Lounge. Some of the most talented successful artists have performed there.
I’m getting hungry. We’re either going to Javier’s at Century City, (that’s my little boujee jam lol) or we’re going back to Leimert for the vegan cafe. Honorable mention for Hawkins Burgers in Watts. Their burgers can NOT be slept on!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give flowers to my mentor, LA Muralist Henry Goodes also known @art_design_image. Henry took me under his wing in 2008 after meeting him on a regular day on Crenshaw . After showing him my work, he said I “had a good eye” and we’ve been locked in ever since.
Henry has consistently encouraged me over the years and has pulled me back to center when Ive lost my focus.
Henry is a pillar of inspiration to myself and the rest of the art community. His studios are located at Howard Hughes Center in Los Angeles

Instagram: @ath_wonder_art_

Other: Spectacular Black Girl Art Show https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=3695

Image Credits
Ashlee Dunlap Tiffany Aldaco