Meet the Artist: Ash Newman & Her Cheeky Longboy, Remus

Tucked away in the Dandenong Ranges, VIC, artist Ash Newman spends her days surrounded by creativity, whimsy, and one very cheeky longboy named Remus. Adopted in 2018, Remus is about to turn 11 — though his boundless energy would have you believe otherwise.

Equal parts spunky and boisterous, Remus is car-obsessed, full of mischief, and famous for pulling faces that crack up his family daily. Ash’s love affair with sighthounds began in 2017 at Melbourne’s Hank Marvin Markets, where she and her partner stumbled across the Gumtree Greys tent. One cuddle later, it was all over — curiosity turned into a full-blown obsession.


Ash can’t remember a time she didn’t draw. Like most kids, she spent hours sketching, but unlike most, she never grew out of it. Horses were an early favourite — especially Belle from The Saddle Club — which, in hindsight, makes her love of greyhounds feel almost inevitable. “They’re basically the horses of the dog world,” she laughs.

These days, Ash works across different mediums but has a soft spot for gouache. Though she insists she hasn’t mastered it, she loves its texture and challenge. Among her work, one painting — a spooky, tender piece called Friendship — holds a special place in her heart. It was the first artwork she created purely for herself since her teens, and later became her first print sold at events.


Her art can be found locally at Market Fair in Ferntree Gully, and from October 1st, her online shop will reopen. For updates and sneak peeks, you can find her on Instagram at @ashnewmanart.

When she isn’t painting hounds, Ash turns her focus to Australian wildlife. Her current muse? Tasmanian Devils. “If I’m ever feeling creatively stuck, I just go and hang out with animals,” she says. “It never fails to spark something new.”


Between commissions, contract illustration gigs, and teaching at Melbourne Polytechnic, Ash keeps her hands — and heart — full. Meanwhile, Remus stays busy supervising (and occasionally side-eyeing) her projects. “He’d probably ask why so many of my hound illustrations aren’t of him,” Ash jokes. “Even though he’s my life model for almost everything.”

Ash’s world is a celebration of art, hounds, and the beautiful chaos that comes with both. To explore her latest pieces and upcoming releases, follow her journey at @ashnewmanart or visit her online store when it reopens.

Explore Ash Newman Collection