About the Artist
Ashley Kozel is an illustrator based in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and four children. She has loved making art for as long as she can remember, but it wasn’t until adulthood that she truly began to pursue it.
Like all of us, Ashley has a collection of vivid memories—some expected, others seemingly random. One such moment from childhood stands out: In sixth grade, she hand-drew a poster for a Greek mythology group project, carefully illustrating the gods and goddesses. When the project ended, a classmate shyly asked if they could take the poster home because they loved it so much. It was the first time Ashley felt the thrill of someone truly valuing her art, an early sign of the creative path she was ultimately meant to follow.
In early adulthood, Ashley struggled with doubts about whether she was “good enough” to turn art into a career. So, despite her love for creating, self-doubt kept her from pursuing it. In college, she majored in economics and graduated with honors. She went on to work in the corporate world before stepping away to become a stay-at-home mom. During this time, she continued to create—but never saw it as “making art.” It was just something she did, the same way she always had. Whether she was painting, sewing quilts, building fairy houses, sketching, or helping her kids with school projects, creativity was always there, woven into her everyday life. It took years for her to realize that this constant pull toward making things wasn’t just a hobby—it was an integral part of who she was. Once she realized that not everyone felt the same deep need to create, she began to see her creativity as a gift and to embrace her identity as an artist.
Ashley’s illustrations are inspired by the world around her—nature, family, and the magic in life’s small moments. With each piece, Ashley hopes to inspire others to find joy and beauty in the little things that make life special.