Self Portrait, Ashleen Woods Arnett

Ashleen Woods Arnett (She/Her)

Artist Biography

Growing up engrossed in the world of Sailor Moon, Ashleen Woods Arnett quickly found her calling in the intricate narratives of manga and anime. These tales set the foundation for her journey into comic artistry, leading her to develop her distinct style combining traditional manga elements with 1960’s flair and modern techniques.

Ashleen’s portfolio is a testament to her artistic evolution, showcasing a wide range of pieces that highlight her proficiency in both traditional mediums like sumi ink, Copic markers, and colored inks as well as digital tools. Her standout work is Dark Horse, a post-apocalyptic magical girl story set against the backdrop of the west coast. Its evolving narrative and rich character development exemplify her ability to create stories that pay homage to her sources of inspiration.

Beyond her individual creations, Ashleen is deeply embedded in the broader comic community. She actively curates and publishes the bi-annual zine for ComicFury, creating a space for novice and expert artist alike to share their work and connect with readers.  She also hosts a YouTube channel where she discusses her work, tools, and techniques.

Philosophy

Her philosophy is to provide free entertainment in the form of web comics to make the craft more accessible, as well as to celebrate the art of comic making. This is not to say she is adverse to artists selling their craft to earn a living wage, as she herself participates in such ventures. She strives to provide free art and comics for the underemployed, as well as to provide opportunities for artists of varying skill levels.