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.”