Artist Spotlight: Abby Ickert

Welcome to the first Artist Spotlight hosted by Heatcheck! Our goal is to give shine to some of the amazing creatives in the sports art community. For our first interview, we talked to the winner of our NBA All-Star Art Contest, Abby Ickert (aka @ambitionartistry). Get to know her below!

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Heatcheck: What is your favorite art medium and why? Abby: My favorite medium is definitely either sharpie or acrylic paint. I love that using sharpie allows me to create definition through consistent line work, and I love that using acrylic paint challenges me to think in terms of layering colors. It's also very relaxing and therapeutic to work with a medium that’s smooth and can blend easily.

Heatcheck: How long have you been drawing? Abby: I’ve always been a doodler, and used to draw a lot when I was little, but I would say I started really drawing when I was 12. And I didn’t start experimenting with paint until a few years ago. Heatcheck: What artist or artists inspire you? Abby: I’ve always admired the work of Albrecht Dürer for the insanely intricate line work he used to bring things to life. I’m also a huge Van Gogh fan, I mean how can you not be! As for current artists though I’m not really up to date on anyone or looking at anyone else’s work to inspire my own. I definitely admire others artists’ work, and I follow a lot of great artists on social media, but when it comes to drawing inspiration, I’ve always attributed that to the greatest artist of all time - God! Heatcheck: What is your favorite piece you’ve done, and why? Abby: I think every time I work on a new piece it becomes my new favorite because I’m always trying to improve with each painting I do. There are a couple of pieces that are more sentimental to me just because of the stepping stones they represent in my career so far, but I don’t have a favorite. Heatcheck: What advice do you have for people just getting into art? Abby: I would say it’s important to understand that “perfection” is only an idea of something that each of us sees differently in our own minds, and if we’re not reflecting those ideas precisely when it comes to trying to copy them, it doesn’t mean our work isn’t good. Keep envisioning, keep thinking outside of the box, keep dreaming, and most importantly, keep trying.

Heatcheck: What are some of the struggles of being an artist? Abby: The whole “starving artist” saying is scarily accurate. It’s hard work to be a creative. I think a lot of people don’t understand the mental pressure that comes with doing something that has no measurement or system for “success”. It’s a constant battle of self-confidence vs self-criticism, PLUS it’s so subjective. Which voices do you listen to? How do you market yourself to people not knowing who, if any will even like your work enough to support you? Heatcheck: What are your thoughts on AI art? Abby: Well I think that the technology of it is mind blowing, but I don’t consider it art. Does it have the ability to capture things well? Yes. Does it have the ability to make something aesthetically pleasing? Sure. BUT, it takes away the personal aspect of art, which to me I believe is crucial. Having a personal connection to art is just how it’s supposed to be. Walking into an art museum or gallery and seeing a piece of art that’s made by another human being, who has a background and story and life, it SHOWS. The love, care, patience, and time that’s put into each and every piece of artwork is too authentic to be brushed aside by AI. Heatcheck: Who is your dream client? Abby: Everyone. You think I’m probably joking. I’d love to create a meaningful piece of art for every person on the planet if it would be meaningful to them. Honestly I’ve never really thought about having a specific dream client, but I’ll probably know it when it happens. Heatcheck: What are some goals you have for yourself?

Abby: My biggest goal is to just keep creating. I know that’s broad, but that’s just what I feel like I’m made to do. Of course it would be cool to do some work for a big sports company or team, but I don’t have my heart set on anything. As long as I can keep challenging myself to create then I’ll be satisfied. Heatcheck: Do you sell prints or do custom pieces? Abby: Yes and yes! I sell a variety of prints that are mostly digitally illustrated, and I also love love love doing custom pieces for people. Most of the work that I do consists of custom pieces for people who reach out to me either through social media or my website and there’s nothing I love more! Heatcheck: Where can people find your work? Abby: My website has a good majority of my work up on it (ambitionartistry.net), and my Instagram (@ambitionartistry) and Twitter (@abbylynneickert) show a lot more of my current projects and updates!