Trompe l'Oeil Self Portrait Mural Profile - About the Artist C. Ashley Spencer grew up in the flamboyant and artistic city of New Orleans. She still has a strong connection to her hometown. She has lived in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia for the past 20 years with her husband, Peter, and two teenage sons, Piers and Jackson. She began her illustration business, The Occasional Palette, in 1988 when her oldest son was an infant. Since her boys have been in school -- for more than 14 years, she has enjoyed painting murals and decorative and faux finishes, as well as collaborating with clients in the design process. She attributes her success to her talented art teachers, her study and appreciation of art history, and her strong background in drawing--from which every good painting derives. She formed Casart coverings, LLC in January 2009 as a way to reproduce her decorative finishes and murals to be printed on durable wallcoverings that are repositionable, removable and reusable, like "slipcovers for your walls" (casartblog). This allows for easy, do-it-yourself installation without any extra labor cost, mess and necessary permanency of traditional wallpaper. Casart coverings offer a practical and sustainable way for seasonal or long term interior design solutions. Varieties of original hand painted finishes are available through the website link above and on top-bar links on the main pages on this site. All designs can be customized and personal photos are also an option. Click this link to learn more about this eCommerce company. Among past experience: worked at National Gallery of Art--Design & Installation Department, National Gallery Of Women in the Arts--Exhibition Design Department, & Scenic Painter at Arena Stage. The graphic artist and illustrator for Consumers' Research Magazine for 15 years. Graduate of The University of the South (Sewanee) with a degree in Art History and minor in Fine Art. Studied at Parsons in Paris and Corcoran Gallery of Art School, D.C., with continuing education at The Torpedo Art League School, Alexandria, Virgina and area workshops. Member of CADA (Capital Area Decorative Artisans) and IDAL (International Decorative Artisans League). Personal: She is involved in her civic group, The Upper King Street Neighborhood Association (UKSNA). Her other volunteer activities include: Twig (non-profit auxiliary for Alexandria Inova Hospital/Sustaining member), support volunteer for Pregnant with Cancer Network, past school board member of Grace Episcopal School, and a parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church. She currently serves on the King Street Metro Task Force and is a founding member of the King Street Gardens Park Foundation. Click here to go to Contact Page.