{"id":1987327,"date":"2025-08-29T20:35:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T20:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1987327"},"modified":"2025-08-29T20:35:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T20:35:04","slug":"a-heartfelt-thank-you-to-an-incredible-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/a-heartfelt-thank-you-to-an-incredible-artist\/","title":{"rendered":"A heartfelt thank you to an incredible artist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX\/WEUX) \u2013 As we close out August and our time with the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/lacrossecommunitytheatre.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:La Crosse Community Theatre;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">La Crosse Community Theatre<\/a> Artist of the Month, I have to get a little vulnerable. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/artinerary.com\/articipant\/ashton-hall-1755826594393x776185540090003500?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMUq1BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3_LfrYEKsObrJRXAlYBnscBIIl3k7M3AqT_C1_VymNa4sM3bp-nkCeehuOY_aem_ZFX4cfiFA2ppACI9zzIWSg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ashton Hall;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Ashton Hall<\/a> did something for me with her art that she probably isn\u2019t even aware of.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I am not unique in saying this, but I suffer from imposter syndrome. I believe that the titles that I am most reverent to must be earned, and there isn\u2019t anything in the world that I, Steven Walker, can do to earn those illustrious and respectable titles.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A piece Ashton did \u201cabout\u201d me<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cYou can\u2019t just call yourself a writer! You have to earn that distinction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cYou can\u2019t just SAY that you\u2019re a director. You don\u2019t \u2018direct,\u2019 you make jokie-jokes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cYou CAN NOT refer to yourself as an artist\u2026 that is for others to identify within you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Many moons ago, Ashton did a series of color explorations. She reached out to people in the Coulee Region to ask them questions designed to elicit a color as a response. Things like, \u201cWhat color is the shirt you are wearing\u2026 What is your favorite color\u2026 what color do you think of\u2026\u201d and so on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I was honored to fill out the questionnaire, not thinking that she would actually use it\u2026. And then she did! Not only did she use it, but she called me an artist and an actor. She validated these things inside that I wanted so desperately to be acknowledged. She simply relayed how she saw me\u2026 as an Artist\u2026 and it meant everything to me.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5sXKFUlJV.NnwODE0Ssqjg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlax_la_crosse_articles_991\/2e2da81d419825e4ab231d5ddb2bed57\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I think that is the crux of her talent. She shows the world how she sees it. She doesn\u2019t mess with that perception. She doesn\u2019t filter it through something else and then back again. She sees magnificence and shares that with the world. She sees the value of a color, she sees the beauty of a moment, she sees the depth and awe of a petal, a fruit, a stroke of her brush. She takes all of that perception, all of that love, and lets it flow out, from her heart to her brush, and on the canvas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I would be wildly embarrassed if I didn\u2019t point out that she is only unaware of what she did for me, because I have never shared it with her or anyone else. She is a champion of personal growth. She\u2019s constantly telling people that they are the beauty in the world\u2026 That they are everything they want to be and more\u2026 That nothing is impossible and the world is ready for whatever you have to give it. I am hoping that she is proud that she gave me that gift. I was proud the day I got it from her.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A charcoal drawing that I commissioned from Ashton\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"871\" height=\"720\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/p37AyMeVh28hwljPUB8dQA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc5NDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlax_la_crosse_articles_991\/13ca26b3c46a343616cddf1c637ca1b8\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A charcoal drawing that I commissioned from Ashton<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">That piece hangs in my dining room to this day. It\u2019s one of two Ashton Halls that I own. And, THAT is that other thing that Ashton gave to me. Actually, to be fair, she gave to WI Proud as well. Owning those works, one a gift from my sister and the other a commissioned piece I asked Ashton to create, opened my eyes to the incredible artists right here at home. She showed me that I could hang glorious pieces of art in my home that were created by people I know and have met. I can hang a Dylan Overhouse picture in my home (and work office) after having worked on two short films with him. I can hand a Scott Cheeks piece commemorating the closing of our favorite watering hole. I can have Tiffany Lavender and Cat Dagandesh prints on my wall. I read, see, support, and write about local artists because Ashton opened my eyes to the thriving community of them around me.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I owe a lot to Ashton, and I am so proud to be considered a friend of hers. I am so happy to share her work with any and all who see it. I am happy to have had her as the La Crosse Community Theatre and WI Proud Artist of the Month for August 2025\u2026<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Artist of the Month: The artistry of trying (interview pt. 1)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"876\" height=\"493\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/G2D_couSmSlw4dzItAXQ2w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlax_la_crosse_articles_991\/429e424ab694cceea9f656028cdfb849\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Artist of the Month: The artistry of trying (interview pt. 1)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wiproud.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 &amp; WIProud.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 &amp; WIProud. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX\/WEUX) \u2013 As we close out August and our time with the La Crosse Community Theatre Artist of the Month, I have to get a little vulnerable. Ashton Hall did something for me with her art that she probably isn\u2019t even aware of. I am not unique in saying this, but I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1987328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[340889,351989,358123,358124],"class_list":["post-1987327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-artist-of-the-month","tag-ashton-hall","tag-la-crosse-community-theatre","tag-steven-walker"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/A-heartfelt-thank-you-to-an-incredible-artist.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1987327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1987327"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1987327\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1987328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1987327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1987327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1987327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}