May 29, 2025 • 32 mins
In the latest episode of The Pursuit of Feeling, we sat down with renowned New York-based pop artist Ashley Longshore to dig deeper into her affinity with Iceland – a country that she ecstatically calls her “soul twin” – to mark a new Icelandic trip we've just co-curated together. Come for the landscapes; stay for the digressions on elves, trolls, birch liquor, and hotdogs. It’s a wild and inspiring ride.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Owen Vince (00:01):
You're listening to the Pursuit of Feeling, a
podcast by Black Tomato.
In this new series, we want toexplore not only the world of
travel, but the world of emotionand what it ultimately means to
feel our way through the world.
In each episode, you'll alsoget a Rolodex of recommendations
from our guests on where to go,what to do and where to stay
(00:23):
all around the world.
Where to go, what to?
Brendan Drewniany (00:25):
do and where to stay all around the world.
On today's episode, we arejoined by the legendary, iconic
and quite singular pop artistsensation, ashley Longshore.
Ashley is a southern-bornself-trained artist and
entrepreneurial visionary whoturned the traditional art
gallery business model on itshead by building her own
extraordinarily energetic andvibrant empire.
Ashley's world is full of joyand this creative power has
(00:46):
moved her studio from NewOrleans to New York City, where
she continues to dazzle hercollectors from near and far.
With Ashley, we delve into themagical and otherworldly
landscapes of Iceland, one suchplace that she keeps revisiting
for inspiration, and how shefinds travel transformational on
each and every trip she embarkson, so excited to have the most
(01:07):
fabulous Ashley Longshore.
She's a Southerner turned NewYorker, an international,
incredible pop artist, an iconand a sensation, and she's
totally spectacular in every way.
Welcome to the Pursuit ofFeeling podcast, ashley.
Ashley Longshore (01:20):
Oh my God, I'm so happy to be here and also
that was such a sweet intro.
I love you guys.
This is so wonderful.
As much as I love all of thosethings being grounded, there's
nothing I love more than beingon an airplane on my way to
somewhere.
Fabulous for inspiration.
Brendan Drewniany (01:35):
Absolutely.
And what do you have there?
Is that Bjork?
Ashley Longshore (01:37):
Well, I know I've wanted to talk to you about
Iceland because it's one of myfavorite places for so many
reasons, but this liqueur is sodelicious.
It's made from a birch tree.
You know, I don't know ifyou're the kind of person that
likes, you know, like somethingwith a whole lot of kick, you
know, or something smooth andwonderful.
(01:59):
I always love to have a littlebit of this after I eat and have
more cocktails, because thenyou know that's when you really
start talking about the goodstuff.
Brendan Drewniany (02:07):
That's when you get into it.
Ashley Longshore (02:09):
I wanted to show you.
Brendan Drewniany (02:10):
It's beautiful.
I love the color.
Ashley Longshore (02:12):
Well, more than that, it's delicious and
it's 27.5% alcohol That'll keepyou warm.
Brendan Drewniany (02:18):
That'll keep it kicking.
Ashley Longshore (02:20):
That will.
Brendan Drewniany (02:21):
Ashley, tell us a little bit about yourself
and your relationship withtravel.
Like when did travel becomelike a really meaningful part of
your life?
Ashley Longshore (02:28):
Not necessarily have to be childhood
, but Well, no, I was reallylucky that my family loved for
us to travel and see things andI loved the adventure of that.
I also loved that at a veryyoung age I just felt weird, I
felt different.
Being in Montgomery Alabama,I'm like, God damn, is this all
there is?
So being able to travel reallyopened my eyes to all the
(02:52):
possibilities of ways that Icould live my life as an adult
as I continue to adult now.
It's just so wonderful to seehow other people live and their
traditions, to remember thatyou're not locked into anything,
to know that it's like a big,wonderful world out there and it
is a wonderful world.
(03:13):
I feel like we're so jadedsometimes and we're made to feel
afraid of the world by themedia and, of course, so much of
that is clickbait.
I really think that thegreatest honor and the greatest
thing in my life is to be ableto travel.
I sell art so I can get on anairplane and travel.
Brendan Drewniany (03:28):
That's exactly right, I mean, and
really about that, like you pourso much emotion into your art,
it's your whole heart and soul,baby, like it's everything.
Owen Vince (03:36):
How did the emotions ?
Brendan Drewniany (03:37):
of travel come into play with you as an
artist.
Do you feel things when you'rethere?
Ashley Longshore (03:49):
Are there interactions with specific
artisans?
Like, how does that come intoplay?
Yes, like I could walk into agarden somewhere and see a
painted wall and some beautiful,like local flower blooming in
front of that wall and I'm likemy God, I never really thought
about the fact that navy, blueand lilac are perfect together,
wow.
And the way that it justignites all of your senses.
I think too, because you don'tknow where you are, you're not
used to where you are, youhaven't adapted to it.
(04:11):
Yet you're like, you're like alittle animal out in the field.
You're like what is this?
What is that noise?
What do I see?
What does that smell?
So I, yeah, it ignites all mysenses in a way that if I'm in
one place for too long, I getreally stir crazy, maybe I get
sad, maybe I just need to vacate, you know.
Brendan Drewniany (04:29):
Well, it's kind of like this yeah, in a
sense, this sort of gloriousdistraction, but it's so, so
meaningful.
You know, you have all the, allthe sensorial aspects.
Ashley Longshore (04:37):
It's the best way to learn.
It's the best way to learn, Ithink.
Brendan Drewniany (04:41):
I agree, and I think you know, when you're
young too, it's.
It's so impactful.
I can even remember, you know,trips to Wales I spent with my
family when I was six.
You know so even small stuff.
When you get older you kind ofcome back to it.
Ashley Longshore (04:53):
And it's funny too, when you go somewhere as
an adult that you went when youwere a child, how completely
different it looks, because ofyour life experiences.
That's a really good pointbecause of your life experiences
.
Brendan Drewniany (05:02):
That's a really good point.
Ashley Longshore (05:03):
I do feel a little triggered right now by
this question.
Owen Vince (05:06):
I feel, triggered.
Ashley Longshore (05:11):
I just had a memory of a trip that my family
took to London and my mom anddad were sitting up in the front
of the airplane and they put mein the back to babysit my
sister and it was like nine anda half hours and it was just
hell.
So thank you for triggeringthat in me today.
Brendan Drewniany (05:29):
Oh, you know, that's what I'm here for baby.
Ashley Longshore (05:31):
It's nice to be an adult now and to make my
own money and go.
I can sit anywhere on theairplane that I want.
Brendan Drewniany (05:36):
Exactly and you can make your own memories.
Ashley Longshore (05:38):
That's right.
Brendan Drewniany (05:39):
And in general with travel.
Do you seek specific emotionswhen you're traveling?
How do you want to feel?
Does it or does that unfoldnaturally or in?
Ashley Longshore (05:48):
combination Other than just drastically
needing a soul douche.
Now, for me, a soul douche isthis when I travel I love botany
I always like to meet with anaturalist, if I can in the area
that I'm in I love to learnabout all the little creatures
and trees Like that's usuallyone of the first things.
Like when I land, if I can, inthe area that I'm in, I love to
learn about all the littlecreatures and trees, like that.
(06:09):
That's usually one of the firstthings.
Like when I land on theairplane and I'm driving, I'm
like what is that tree?
What is that tree?
I remember one time I justlanded in Portugal and I'm like
oh my God, there you go.
Look, there's trees everywhere.
This is unbelievable, this isso awesome, you know.
And then it just it starts withlittle things like that.
I love a beautiful hotel.
I ain't going to lie and Iain't sorry for that.
I love that service.
First thing I do when I walk in.
(06:29):
If there's a line to check in,I'm like I'm in the wrong
freaking hotel.
I want that gorgeous littledesk.
I want them to go.
I like the hotels where theymemorize your face before you
get there, like thehousekeeper's like welcome
Ashley.
I'm so happy you're here andI'm like, damn, they're good.
They're good, ooh, I don't haveto worry about anything.
(06:51):
I mean, I run a company, so theidea of having to get on a trip
and I know people willunderstand this and you.
Then you got to micromanagesomebody in a hotel.
Oh, we've been up here waitingfor our breakfast.
My God called you 45 minutesago.
Like you know, when you get ina property where they anticipate
everything that you might need,yes, that is what I mean
(07:13):
because then I can vacate.
My brain is like this I'm alwaysmaking lists has so and so done
this.
What are we doing today?
Da da, da, da da.
You know boss stuff.
So when I get on vacation, toget to sit back and let somebody
else take care of that, where Ican really take in the world
and the environment, yes, thatis what I want, that is what I
(07:34):
need.
Brendan Drewniany (07:35):
Absolutely.
I mean, it's that like realhospitality and it's all
personality based.
You know and I think thatthat's what's so special is
getting to know people too, andreturning to places as well.
There's something reallyamazing about that.
Ashley Longshore (07:48):
Like you just said, and let me say this, let
me say this this level ofhospitality and service can be
at a five-star hotel in Italy.
It can also be in a little huton a beach in Bora Bora.
That isn't, you know, a milliondollars a night.
This level of service isn'talways determined by you having
(08:10):
to just unload your bank account.
There's really incredibleplaces that you can go all over
the world that have that.
That it's just oh, I need it.
I need it now.
Brendan Drewniany (08:19):
Here's another one.
Can you recall a time whentravel sort of surprised you
with unexpected emotions?
Maybe you went in thinking itwould be a certain way the
destination.
And how did?
Ashley Longshore (08:28):
you handle it.
Brendan Drewniany (08:28):
Did you embrace it?
Was there a bit of pushback?
Ashley Longshore (08:31):
Yeah, I mean, I think sometimes when you're in
places where there's a languagebarrier and this is just me,
because I am an anxious personby nature and I am a planner
with travel, I like to have aplan I also want to feel safe.
There've been times on vacationspecific to places in Europe,
where I feel overwhelmed by howbig the city is.
(08:54):
What I need to be seeing.
Am I seeing the right thing?
Oh my God, am I missingsomething?
I feel so overwhelmed let'sjust go to a bar and start
drinking at three in theafternoon, not that there's
anything wrong with that, butlike I do want more in my
vacation than just you know, sothat that surprised me Also.
I mean, look, I've hadincredible adventures in Africa
(09:16):
and in India where I have metpeople.
When the wheels of the planegot off the tarmac, I cried like
a baby because I met like asoul twin.
You know, it hurt me to leavethem.
Brendan Drewniany (09:28):
I know the feeling, and you can connect
that way too with certain guidesas well oh, especially with the
guides.
Ashley Longshore (09:33):
They're just a good guide makes all the
difference in the world and theybecome your friend and your
teacher and it's just like fuck,I don't want to leave you.
Brendan Drewniany (09:42):
I love you, I love you and they point out
things that you wouldn'tnecessarily you may pass by,
like you were talking about thetrees and endemic species, and
there's something really specialabout having that expert
insight so that you learn in away that doesn't feel like
you're in a classroom.
Ashley Longshore (09:56):
Well, you come back home and you're different.
It isn't just about I need togo fucking relax or I want to go
to St Bart's and get loadedwith my friends and dance on
tables.
This is about what I said.
It's a soul douche.
Have I learned something new?
Have I changed?
Do I have a differentperspective?
That's the kind of vacationthat I want, that my soul needs,
(10:18):
you know.
Brendan Drewniany (10:18):
Totally.
Is there a destination thatstands out to you as being
deeply tied to a specificemotion for you?
Ashley Longshore (10:25):
I've got to be honest with you.
The trips that I've taken thatare like outdoor adventures, are
my favorite trips of all time.
Africa, of course, it's justsuch an adventure.
India, my soul.
But you know, for somethingthat is very close.
I mean, if you're in New York,it's a five hour flight.
Iceland will serve everythingthat you could ever imagine,
(10:47):
from picnicking on a grassyknoll to snowmobiling on a
glacier, you know, having a shotof Icelandic birch liquor in an
ice cave and looking forfairies while you milk a cow out
on a knoll.
I mean, are you kidding me?
It's literally the greatestplace.
At the end of all, that you getto go to, one of the best spas
(11:11):
in the world.
I'm sorry, tell me a betterplace.
Tell me I'm waiting.
Brendan Drewniany (11:15):
It's the best .
I mean it's just absolutely thebest.
What were some standoutexperiences that really kind of
like pulled on your heartstringsor that you, yeah, just made
you like take a breath?
Ashley Longshore (11:24):
I think, first of all, let's talk about the
thing that really makes a tripincredible, and that's the
people that are there.
Icelandic people are thecoolest people.
They're very calm but also verycolorful.
They're very warm and invitingand they're very, very proud of
their country.
(11:44):
But my favorite thing is howthey love fairies and they
believe in ghosts.
They really believe in thespirit of the land.
So when they tell you about it,not only do you get to hear
that unbelievable Icelandicaccent, but it really is
delightful to hear the pridethat they have in their country
(12:05):
and all the mysticism.
Brendan Drewniany (12:06):
The mysticism yeah, I think that's a really
like key part of Iceland and thecreative energy too.
Right, I mean beyond just Yorkas well.
Ashley Longshore (12:14):
You could have a really, really hot Nordic
dude cook you lamb in a cavethat's been there for like
forever.
I'm sorry, that's awesome.
Then you go out on littlebuggies and you drive around and
get off and you walk throughthis mossy areas while the sun
hits your face but it's likecool wind in your hair, and then
you walk behind a waterfall andthen the guy gets you back out
(12:38):
in the grass and says just laydown for a minute, and you let
the moss just envelop your body.
It feels like.
It feels like the softestmattress you've ever been in and
the sun is in your face andyou're like fuck, I'm never
leaving here.
How can I move my company here?
And then, like I was there onetime, um, right before Easter,
and the lambs were the littlesheep they were starting to have
(13:00):
their lambs.
It was a little bit early, butour guide, his family, had a
farm and they had a little lambit was the first lamb of the
year.
And they were oh, I want you tomeet my family.
And we went there and I had alittle lamb, it was the first
lamb of the year.
And they were oh, I want you tomeet my family.
And we went there and I held alittle baby lamb.
It was just like they're just,it's just the greatest, the
greatest.
Brendan Drewniany (13:17):
It is the greatest.
Yeah, there's, that's a feeling, and that's a kind of feeling
of contentment, almost rightwhen you're there.
Yeah, and the food there isamazing.
Ashley Longshore (13:24):
The food there is incredible.
I feel like there's been likesome sort of like a media BS
that's made you think that youknow all they eat are penguins
and puffins.
That is so wrong.
There's actually so much likeThai food incredible Thai food
and the lamb that they eat thesalads.
Everything is so fresh anddelicious.
Brendan Drewniany (13:45):
So, fresh.
Ashley Longshore (13:46):
It's a wonderful culinary experience
too, quite frankly.
Brendan Drewniany (13:49):
You are absolutely right, and sushi is
killer.
Ashley Longshore (13:51):
But if you get shit faced and need chicken
strips at three in the morning,it might not be the right place
for you.
Brendan Drewniany (13:57):
That's a really good point, because you
know in.
Reykjavik, they do like toparty.
Ashley Longshore (14:01):
Yeah, well, you know, you can get a really
good hot dog.
Brendan Drewniany (14:04):
That's right.
We all love a dog.
We all love a dog.
Why do you think travel oftenamplifies emotions compared to
just sort of the everyday lifeand I say everyday life
obviously you have a milliondifferent emotions.
Ashley Longshore (14:22):
I think it's because, you know, human beings,
we're very adaptable.
I think we can get in our ownenvironments and we get very
used to it and we have like thatrhythm.
I think when we are travelingand we're doing it in a way that
we really love again, all ofyour senses are ignited because
everything is new.
I mean, I remember the firsttime I went to India and I'm
like I'm walking into thisbeautiful hotel in Delhi and
(14:44):
they had like rose scentedincense burning and then it
smelled like smoke in the cityand these beautiful men were
helping me with the bags andtheir gorgeous turbans and then
just the botany of the hotelitself that I was like oh my God
, am I dead?
(15:05):
This is the most incredible,this is what I've been looking
for, this is the maximalism andthe greatness.
It just it changes you.
It changes your soul.
It's just, it's a soul douche.
Brendan Drewniany (15:17):
It's a soul douche it is, and it's much
needed Kind of like building onthat too.
I mean, you mentioned sort ofEurope and some kind of like
challenges being overwhelmed,but have you ever experienced
sort of like bittersweet ormelancholic feelings while
traveling?
Did that ever come into play?
Or yes, if?
Ashley Longshore (15:34):
I go to a hotel that I thought was going
to be awesome and it's not.
And a lot of times in Italy youknow we would stay out and
party really, really late.
And I think we're at theCiranus and honey, you cannot
get room service there at fouro'clock in the morning.
They will literally bring yousome sliced cheese and a
baguette which, by the way,ain't cute to eat naked and
(15:55):
drunk, hanging a half off thebed at four o'clock in the
morning in Italy, or maybe it is, I don't know Melancholy.
It depends on what you're goingto see.
There's some very heavy thingsto witness that have happened in
the world and to hear thehistory of those things.
Brendan Drewniany (16:12):
There's certain art, too, that I want to
go to, certain museums orgalleries.
Ashley Longshore (16:15):
I mean I got really pissed.
I got really pissed at theVatican.
Owen Vince (16:19):
You want to know why why.
Ashley Longshore (16:21):
Well, they have the largest private art
collection in the world and theydon't have any art created by
women.
Fair point I have a problem withthat.
Also, I'm very respectful toother cultures.
When I'm traveling, of course Ihave my shoulders covered.
I have my knees covered.
I mean this is a sacred place.
But I had on this necklace.
I had on this necklace my guide, who is wonderful and a
(16:44):
wonderful woman.
She's talking to one of the menin the main cathedral, you know
, and he was very upset that Ihad this necklace on and she
said you have to cover it.
And I'm thinking she said hesaid it was too gaudy.
And I'm like there's a waxedhuman five feet from me.
Damn Boy, they're a tough,tough crowd, tough crowd man.
(17:11):
That is too good, no, but youknow what it was.
It was a piece of turquoise andit had like a little snake on
it and he was not having it.
He was doing his job.
Of course, I covered itimmediately out of respect, but
I also thought, dang, this isthe most elaborate room I've
ever been in in my life.
You know, I mean, but look, Ithink I think when you're
traveling, those culturaldifferences are really important
(17:34):
and you know, learning what youneed to do to be respectful of
people and where they're from isthat's really important.
Also, it can be so embarrassingto be an American right now.
I mean, it's like god.
I feel like I find myselfapologizing, like I'm sorry, oh,
like I promise you, we'reamazing.
We're a country full ofwonderful people, you know, just
(17:56):
like you and every country hasits own.
Brendan Drewniany (17:58):
You know even places that aren't as far along
with places like Iceland.
You know they have their, andevery country has its own.
You know even places thataren't as far along with places
like iceland.
You know they have their owncustoms and ways of being and,
of course, when I was in themaldives.
Ashley Longshore (18:06):
I mean, look, I mean you know, when you're
making that transport from theairport to the islands, I mean
you know you have to be veryrespectful and, um, I think
that's really, really important.
I love that.
I love learning about thesecultural differences.
It's you know what you'resmarter when you travel.
You just are.
You learn a lot.
Brendan Drewniany (18:23):
It's true.
Has the feeling you experiencedwhile traveling ever influenced
your life choices or personalgrowth?
Ashley Longshore (18:29):
Like was there this moment where you were
traveling and it might have,like, inspired you to do
something within your oh yeah,even like after the first time I
went to France and I came backhere and I was like your caviar
is mushy and your champagne isburned, hell yeah, you go
somewhere and, like you know,you go to Italy and you have the
(18:51):
pasta that somebody's Nona andtheir Nona and their Nona and
their Nona taught him how tomake it.
And then you come back here andyou're like this ain't real
pasta.
Pasta, those kind of littlethings.
You know, yes, you learn whatthe real deal is and you witness
things that have not beenAmericanized, and you meet
people that have great pride inwhat they do.
I mean, I remember thedifference in me being in
(19:14):
Shanghai and then being in Tokyo.
When I was in Shanghai, youknow like I order a glass of
champagne and I would take a,two sips and then they fill it
back up immediately.
Like this woman is not going tonot have this glass of
champagne in Tokyo.
I order a glass of champagne.
It took 20 minutes to get it.
You want to know why.
They wanted to make sure it hadthe perfect amount of bubbles
in it.
They wanted to make sure therewas no fingerprints on the glass
(19:37):
.
There was no fingerprints onthe glass.
They wanted it to be absolutelyperfect.
For me, the amount of pride thatthat particular culture has in
what they do and taking theirtime the exact opposite of
Americans, where we're likehurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.
More, more, more, more, da, da,da, da, da da.
It's interesting to travel andhave that brain switch that goes
(20:04):
from how we operate, where wework, work, work, grind, to
being like whoa, like there'sagain another way to live.
And then you come back home andyou go.
You know what I'm gonna make?
Pasta tonight.
I'm gonna make pasta that'sgonna take me eight fucking
hours and I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna do it the way thatso-and-so's nona taught me to do
it, and I'm gonna do it thebest I can, and it's gonna going
to be delicious and you do that.
You get back and then you youtalk about it with your friends
(20:24):
and then you go back there withyour friends.
Brendan Drewniany (20:25):
It's so fun and I think that's like you know
, cooking classes in generalSometimes I think that's what's
so special too is likeespecially if you like to cook.
I suppose, if you don't like tocook, then what is?
Ashley Longshore (20:35):
honey, I love to cook.
Brendan Drewniany (20:36):
I got chicken in the oven right now we're
cooking right now we're cookingright on to like when you look
specifically like how you wantto travel and the emotions, like
how the emotions that you'reseeking in travel evolved over
time.
What do you seek, is it?
Ashley Longshore (20:50):
well, I mean iceland and adventure, and I've
been in a relationship for 20years, back in the day when I
was travel.
I'm looking for dick in a goodtime, honey.
You know what I what I'm saying.
I want to get drunk, I want toget laid, I want to be exhausted
when I get home.
Now it's, you know, the exactopposite.
I want to rest, but I also wantto see the world.
I want to learn something, youknow.
I want to be fulfilled in adifferent way, if you know what
(21:11):
I mean.
Uh.
Are there places or experiencesthat you'd recommend for people
(21:32):
to feel something extraordinary,just feel absolutely
extraordinary.
Not to keep tooting the horn,but Iceland is just a really the
history there.
It's so young.
It's so young, but also thevolcanic activity and the growth
of it, learning about all thoseVikings seeing water that
you've probably never seenbefore and birds, and it's like
you know.
You go in Reykjavik and you meetthese incredibly colorful,
music-loving, art-loving,healthy people, by the way, that
(21:57):
love their city, but then theyjust have such a great
admiration for the outdoors anda respect for it.
For me, I feel like I have alot to learn from them.
But also, it's so much fun.
It is just so much fun to beadventuring outside, especially
if you have a job where you're,you know, in an office every day
or talk about breaking yournormal routine.
(22:18):
I mean, you know four wheelingpast a whale carcass on a beach
covered in sea lions, and thenyou know the day after that
you're, you know, watching amassive geyser and then at a
tomato farm eating fresh bread,and then you're snowmobiling on
a glacier at 70 miles an hour,by the way, screaming at the top
of your lungs, with wind inyour hair and icicles come out
(22:42):
of the snot of your nose andyou've never been happier about
it.
It's just, it's a pretty greattrip.
Brendan Drewniany (22:47):
Yeah, I think to that and to when you travel
and when you're thinking about,like, what it looks like.
You know, do you want kind of a, you want a bit of?
I mean, you live in New YorkCity, live in the epicenter of
everything.
You want to get a little ofthis culture in the city.
But you also want you're kindof seeking some serenity too,
right?
I mean, it's a noisy existence.
Ashley Longshore (23:05):
I think that too, though, like, for example,
when I was in India.
I mean, that is a very you know, delhi is a very chaotic city
in the most wonderful way, in away that I'd never witnessed
before.
So, yeah, going from the chaosof New York City into that felt
very relaxing to me, in astrange way Interesting Also.
(23:29):
Just to be somewhere completelydifferent and to be surrounded
by this in a place where nobodyknows who the hell I am.
I just I get high on it.
It's strange, but I get high onit.
It's strange but I get high onit.
It doesn't have to be and, tobe honest, with you just laying
on a beach chair frying in thesun is not something I live for,
right, I want to go walkthrough a garden.
(23:50):
I want to hear a hummingbirdlaying on a flower I've never
seen before.
I want somebody to make me acocktail and serve me like an
amazing ceviche that I've nevertasted.
I want to go on a boat and finda conch and I want to bust that
conch open and then go back andsit with the chef and make a
conch fritter with thatmotherfucker.
You know what I mean.
Absolutely.
That's what I like to do, Canyou tell?
(24:12):
I like to travel.
Brendan Drewniany (24:14):
I think you like to travel a little bit.
Ashley Longshore (24:16):
Can you tell, I need a vacation right now,
brendan, you need a vacation.
Brendan Drewniany (24:18):
I think we're going to have to help you with
that.
Ashley Longshore (24:20):
I think so.
Brendan Drewniany (24:21):
So here's a very heavier question.
But what does the pursuit offeeling mean to you?
Ashley Longshore (24:26):
Sometimes anticipation can make you very
anxious.
If we're talking specificallyabout traveling, of course, you
know you have to do it the rightway, with the right people,
where you have no expectationsother than just sponging
something.
I mean, I've just seen a lot ofthings that I never would have
(24:47):
thought I would see with my owneyes.
Brendan Drewniany (24:49):
And maybe for you, it's really just being
open.
Ashley Longshore (24:52):
It's sponging man, it's sponging.
You can plan a lot, but youcan't always plan your emotions
and your feelings when youwitness what you've planned, and
I think that's what I love assomebody who really wants to
grow from travel.
Brendan Drewniany (25:11):
What's one place?
I mean, you've been so manyplaces, but where did you feel a
real connection with a localartist in community or artists
in general when you weretraveling?
Have you experienced that?
Ashley Longshore (25:22):
I mean, I generally find out a way to do
that everywhere I go.
I was in Jamaica, down inBluefields, and I ended up at
the school, meeting with all thestudents for two days.
I ended up painting with themand talking to them about, you
know, being an artist andworking with them.
The last time I was in Africa,I ended up at a school Nolo
Pikidongo in Kenya and I endedup painting murals with all the
(25:44):
kids and that was reallyunbelievable.
Whenever I'm in Italy, I seekout artists, I buy art when I
can.
I mean, for me, finding the artis finding the heart of the
city.
Great cities are founded onartists, on music, on food, on
visual art, on literature.
(26:06):
You don't go to a city becausethe lawyers are awesome there,
you know.
You don't go vacate somewherebecause there's, you know, a
bunch of fucking.
You know, I guess, plasticsurgery Hello, that might be fun
.
That's my next vacation,brendan.
Brendan Drewniany (26:20):
I was going to say I seek that Also.
Ashley Longshore (26:24):
I can understand a lot more about that
area when I see the creativeexpression, like I haven't been
to Cuba yet.
But everybody that I know islike you wouldn't believe the
artists down there.
Incredible the graphicdesigners down there, I guess
because they haven't had theopportunity to really put their
stuff out there in the world,like some of other countries
have Unbelievable art down thereand you learn a lot about the
(26:46):
people from that.
That's just really, reallyimportant to me.
Brendan Drewniany (26:49):
Yeah, no, Cuba is definitely up there.
Incredible art scene and visualarts to mixed mediums films.
I feel like it's this sort ofuntapped kind of spot, so maybe
we need to go there together.
Ashley Longshore (27:01):
What I was trying to say was a community
completely stifled by communistpolitics.
That's what I was trying to say, correct?
Brendan Drewniany (27:08):
Well, there you go, you know, communism Not
great.
Not great so looking at thatwhat emotions are you hoping to
explore through your nexttravels, and where might you go
to find it?
Where are you headed and whatdo you want to feel?
Ashley Longshore (27:24):
I really want to go back to Iceland, number
one.
I want to go there like ahundred times before I die.
I've been three times so far.
You know I've never been toPanama.
I really would love to go downthere.
Apparently, they have someincredible resorts with private
islands and a botanist resortswith private islands and a
botanist and you can do like viptours of the panama canal.
(27:44):
There's like a place where youcan go.
So I'd love to do that, god.
I'd love to go to cuba.
I want to go back to india.
I've never been to morocco.
I really want to do that.
I feel like I was just born tohave on a caftan and be in a
souk.
I just is a feeling I've got Icould see you in tangier.
Brendan Drewniany (27:59):
I need to be there I need to be there.
Ashley Longshore (28:02):
There's a lot of europe I haven't seen yet,
and I also haven't been to likesweden or norway.
I need to do that.
God damn, I've really got a lotto do.
I've got a lot to see.
Before I'm shitting down oneleg and pissing down the other,
I guess I'd better get busy.
But I mean, that's the otherthing with travel, man, you're
going to be old one day.
(28:22):
You're going to be old.
It's hard to do it.
You have to do it now.
Seize the day.
Why do you work hard so you cango see the world?
You have to make the time.
I feel like for me, after COVID, I haven't been making the time
.
I mean, I moved my company toNew York.
I've got all this shit going onand I'm like what am I doing?
I've got to get back out thereand see the world.
I'm missing it.
(28:43):
I'm missing it terribly and theclock is ticking.
Brendan Drewniany (28:46):
It is.
You know, you travel specificplaces for like installs and
shows and you're, you're like aforce and a presence in so many
places.
I mean even like, look, let'slook at New York fashion week
and we can bring it back to our,you know, home turf.
But do you ever findinspiration, even when you're on
a work trip and it's reallybusy and you're talking to
collectors.
Do you find that inspiration?
Ashley Longshore (29:05):
I'm like an antenna on top of a building.
I'm just like looking for it.
Of course, and again, even whenI'm traveling in different
places and having shows indifferent countries, yes, I'm
looking at all of that.
It's actually very overwhelmingto be working and sponging an
entirely new environment, butalso wonderful, like when I did
(29:26):
this partnership with Clos dePeau in Shanghai.
I got there and I never, ever,have you been there.
Brendan Drewniany (29:34):
Personally, I have not no.
Ashley Longshore (29:35):
You would never believe that all of those
beautiful hotels, all of that,it is Art Deco, heaven, every
Art Deco.
And I'm thinking what in thehell?
This is unbelievable.
I just you know things likeit's just.
Brendan Drewniany (29:51):
Yes, I don't you know the world will surprise
you, Is that your favoritearchitectural style Art Deco.
Ashley Longshore (29:56):
I love Art, deco jewelry a whole lot.
You know, I really love thatMoroccan vibe.
But you know, for me, I meanI've, I've got art everywhere.
You wouldn't believe it.
I'm a big collector.
So I, I, uh, I like to besurrounded by as much art as
possible.
Brendan Drewniany (30:11):
I think that's that should be something
that we all aspire to do.
I mean, it makes it'll make youfeel richer?
Ashley Longshore (30:21):
Yeah, it'll definitely make you feel good.
Owen Vince (30:22):
The only way it would be better is if somebody
else bought the art for me.
Brendan Drewniany (30:23):
There's a service for that, Ashley.
Ashley Longshore (30:30):
Yeah.
Brendan Drewniany (30:37):
Well, you know, you're just like a
complete inspiration to so manypeople and I think being able to
talk with you is such a anenlightening and energizing
experience and I can just sortof feel how you draft when you
travel, like how you draftenergy when you travel and kind
of like are an energy maker too.
But I think, yeah, there's somuch that you've discussed that
it just resonates really with mein terms of when I assess and
and yeah, and the sort offeelings that you're after, and
(30:57):
sometimes you may not whatyou're after, but when you think
thoughtfully and just withintention, I think that you
sound like a quite intentionaltraveler and that's what we hope
most people are.
Ashley Longshore (31:06):
Well, yeah, because you could fall in love.
You could fall in love with anew place, you could fall in
love with a new flower, youcould fall in love with a new
cuisine.
Hell, you might like reallyfall in love, you know.
But if you're, if you're opento that, that's I think that's
the most important thing abouttravel.
You're going to learn somethingand have fun.
Brendan Drewniany (31:24):
All right.
Well, Ashley, this was anabsolute pleasure.
Thanks so much for joining andcan't wait to hear about your
next adventure.
Ashley Longshore (31:31):
Me too.
Thank you so much.
I love you guys.
Owen Vince (31:35):
You've been listening to the Pursuit of
Feeling, a podcast by BlackTomato.
You've been listening to thePursuit of Feeling, a podcast by
Black Tomato.
If you've enjoyed this episode,then please hit the subscribe
button.
We've got a lot more episodeson the way, and if you're
feeling inspired by what you'veheard today, then visit
blacktomatocom.
We'll help you to travel whereyour heart is.
Thanks for listening.
You're listening to the Pursuit of Feeling, a
podcast by Black Tomato.
In this new series, we want toexplore not only the world of
travel, but the world of emotionand what it ultimately means to
feel our way through the world.
In each episode, you'll alsoget a Rolodex of recommendations
from our guests on where to go,what to do and where to stay
(00:23):
all around the world.
Where to go, what to?
Brendan Drewniany (00:25):
do and where to stay all around the world.
On today's episode, we arejoined by the legendary, iconic
and quite singular pop artistsensation, ashley Longshore.
Ashley is a southern-bornself-trained artist and
entrepreneurial visionary whoturned the traditional art
gallery business model on itshead by building her own
extraordinarily energetic andvibrant empire.
Ashley's world is full of joyand this creative power has
(00:46):
moved her studio from NewOrleans to New York City, where
she continues to dazzle hercollectors from near and far.
With Ashley, we delve into themagical and otherworldly
landscapes of Iceland, one suchplace that she keeps revisiting
for inspiration, and how shefinds travel transformational on
each and every trip she embarkson, so excited to have the most
(01:07):
fabulous Ashley Longshore.
She's a Southerner turned NewYorker, an international,
incredible pop artist, an iconand a sensation, and she's
totally spectacular in every way.
Welcome to the Pursuit ofFeeling podcast, ashley.
Ashley Longshore (01:20):
Oh my God, I'm so happy to be here and also
that was such a sweet intro.
I love you guys.
This is so wonderful.
As much as I love all of thosethings being grounded, there's
nothing I love more than beingon an airplane on my way to
somewhere.
Fabulous for inspiration.
Brendan Drewniany (01:35):
Absolutely.
And what do you have there?
Is that Bjork?
Ashley Longshore (01:37):
Well, I know I've wanted to talk to you about
Iceland because it's one of myfavorite places for so many
reasons, but this liqueur is sodelicious.
It's made from a birch tree.
You know, I don't know ifyou're the kind of person that
likes, you know, like somethingwith a whole lot of kick, you
know, or something smooth andwonderful.
(01:59):
I always love to have a littlebit of this after I eat and have
more cocktails, because thenyou know that's when you really
start talking about the goodstuff.
Brendan Drewniany (02:07):
That's when you get into it.
Ashley Longshore (02:09):
I wanted to show you.
Brendan Drewniany (02:10):
It's beautiful.
I love the color.
Ashley Longshore (02:12):
Well, more than that, it's delicious and
it's 27.5% alcohol That'll keepyou warm.
Brendan Drewniany (02:18):
That'll keep it kicking.
Ashley Longshore (02:20):
That will.
Brendan Drewniany (02:21):
Ashley, tell us a little bit about yourself
and your relationship withtravel.
Like when did travel becomelike a really meaningful part of
your life?
Ashley Longshore (02:28):
Not necessarily have to be childhood
, but Well, no, I was reallylucky that my family loved for
us to travel and see things andI loved the adventure of that.
I also loved that at a veryyoung age I just felt weird, I
felt different.
Being in Montgomery Alabama,I'm like, God damn, is this all
there is?
So being able to travel reallyopened my eyes to all the
(02:52):
possibilities of ways that Icould live my life as an adult
as I continue to adult now.
It's just so wonderful to seehow other people live and their
traditions, to remember thatyou're not locked into anything,
to know that it's like a big,wonderful world out there and it
is a wonderful world.
(03:13):
I feel like we're so jadedsometimes and we're made to feel
afraid of the world by themedia and, of course, so much of
that is clickbait.
I really think that thegreatest honor and the greatest
thing in my life is to be ableto travel.
I sell art so I can get on anairplane and travel.
Brendan Drewniany (03:28):
That's exactly right, I mean, and
really about that, like you pourso much emotion into your art,
it's your whole heart and soul,baby, like it's everything.
Owen Vince (03:36):
How did the emotions ?
Brendan Drewniany (03:37):
of travel come into play with you as an
artist.
Do you feel things when you'rethere?
Ashley Longshore (03:49):
Are there interactions with specific
artisans?
Like, how does that come intoplay?
Yes, like I could walk into agarden somewhere and see a
painted wall and some beautiful,like local flower blooming in
front of that wall and I'm likemy God, I never really thought
about the fact that navy, blueand lilac are perfect together,
wow.
And the way that it justignites all of your senses.
I think too, because you don'tknow where you are, you're not
used to where you are, youhaven't adapted to it.
(04:11):
Yet you're like, you're like alittle animal out in the field.
You're like what is this?
What is that noise?
What do I see?
What does that smell?
So I, yeah, it ignites all mysenses in a way that if I'm in
one place for too long, I getreally stir crazy, maybe I get
sad, maybe I just need to vacate, you know.
Brendan Drewniany (04:29):
Well, it's kind of like this yeah, in a
sense, this sort of gloriousdistraction, but it's so, so
meaningful.
You know, you have all the, allthe sensorial aspects.
Ashley Longshore (04:37):
It's the best way to learn.
It's the best way to learn, Ithink.
Brendan Drewniany (04:41):
I agree, and I think you know, when you're
young too, it's.
It's so impactful.
I can even remember, you know,trips to Wales I spent with my
family when I was six.
You know so even small stuff.
When you get older you kind ofcome back to it.
Ashley Longshore (04:53):
And it's funny too, when you go somewhere as
an adult that you went when youwere a child, how completely
different it looks, because ofyour life experiences.
That's a really good pointbecause of your life experiences
.
Brendan Drewniany (05:02):
That's a really good point.
Ashley Longshore (05:03):
I do feel a little triggered right now by
this question.
Owen Vince (05:06):
I feel, triggered.
Ashley Longshore (05:11):
I just had a memory of a trip that my family
took to London and my mom anddad were sitting up in the front
of the airplane and they put mein the back to babysit my
sister and it was like nine anda half hours and it was just
hell.
So thank you for triggeringthat in me today.
Brendan Drewniany (05:29):
Oh, you know, that's what I'm here for baby.
Ashley Longshore (05:31):
It's nice to be an adult now and to make my
own money and go.
I can sit anywhere on theairplane that I want.
Brendan Drewniany (05:36):
Exactly and you can make your own memories.
Ashley Longshore (05:38):
That's right.
Brendan Drewniany (05:39):
And in general with travel.
Do you seek specific emotionswhen you're traveling?
How do you want to feel?
Does it or does that unfoldnaturally or in?
Ashley Longshore (05:48):
combination Other than just drastically
needing a soul douche.
Now, for me, a soul douche isthis when I travel I love botany
I always like to meet with anaturalist, if I can in the area
that I'm in I love to learnabout all the little creatures
and trees Like that's usuallyone of the first things.
Like when I land, if I can, inthe area that I'm in, I love to
learn about all the littlecreatures and trees, like that.
(06:09):
That's usually one of the firstthings.
Like when I land on theairplane and I'm driving, I'm
like what is that tree?
What is that tree?
I remember one time I justlanded in Portugal and I'm like
oh my God, there you go.
Look, there's trees everywhere.
This is unbelievable, this isso awesome, you know.
And then it just it starts withlittle things like that.
I love a beautiful hotel.
I ain't going to lie and Iain't sorry for that.
I love that service.
First thing I do when I walk in.
(06:29):
If there's a line to check in,I'm like I'm in the wrong
freaking hotel.
I want that gorgeous littledesk.
I want them to go.
I like the hotels where theymemorize your face before you
get there, like thehousekeeper's like welcome
Ashley.
I'm so happy you're here andI'm like, damn, they're good.
They're good, ooh, I don't haveto worry about anything.
(06:51):
I mean, I run a company, so theidea of having to get on a trip
and I know people willunderstand this and you.
Then you got to micromanagesomebody in a hotel.
Oh, we've been up here waitingfor our breakfast.
My God called you 45 minutesago.
Like you know, when you get ina property where they anticipate
everything that you might need,yes, that is what I mean
(07:13):
because then I can vacate.
My brain is like this I'm alwaysmaking lists has so and so done
this.
What are we doing today?
Da da, da, da da.
You know boss stuff.
So when I get on vacation, toget to sit back and let somebody
else take care of that, where Ican really take in the world
and the environment, yes, thatis what I want, that is what I
(07:34):
need.
Brendan Drewniany (07:35):
Absolutely.
I mean, it's that like realhospitality and it's all
personality based.
You know and I think thatthat's what's so special is
getting to know people too, andreturning to places as well.
There's something reallyamazing about that.
Ashley Longshore (07:48):
Like you just said, and let me say this, let
me say this this level ofhospitality and service can be
at a five-star hotel in Italy.
It can also be in a little huton a beach in Bora Bora.
That isn't, you know, a milliondollars a night.
This level of service isn'talways determined by you having
(08:10):
to just unload your bank account.
There's really incredibleplaces that you can go all over
the world that have that.
That it's just oh, I need it.
I need it now.
Brendan Drewniany (08:19):
Here's another one.
Can you recall a time whentravel sort of surprised you
with unexpected emotions?
Maybe you went in thinking itwould be a certain way the
destination.
And how did?
Ashley Longshore (08:28):
you handle it.
Brendan Drewniany (08:28):
Did you embrace it?
Was there a bit of pushback?
Ashley Longshore (08:31):
Yeah, I mean, I think sometimes when you're in
places where there's a languagebarrier and this is just me,
because I am an anxious personby nature and I am a planner
with travel, I like to have aplan I also want to feel safe.
There've been times on vacationspecific to places in Europe,
where I feel overwhelmed by howbig the city is.
(08:54):
What I need to be seeing.
Am I seeing the right thing?
Oh my God, am I missingsomething?
I feel so overwhelmed let'sjust go to a bar and start
drinking at three in theafternoon, not that there's
anything wrong with that, butlike I do want more in my
vacation than just you know, sothat that surprised me Also.
I mean, look, I've hadincredible adventures in Africa
(09:16):
and in India where I have metpeople.
When the wheels of the planegot off the tarmac, I cried like
a baby because I met like asoul twin.
You know, it hurt me to leavethem.
Brendan Drewniany (09:28):
I know the feeling, and you can connect
that way too with certain guidesas well oh, especially with the
guides.
Ashley Longshore (09:33):
They're just a good guide makes all the
difference in the world and theybecome your friend and your
teacher and it's just like fuck,I don't want to leave you.
Brendan Drewniany (09:42):
I love you, I love you and they point out
things that you wouldn'tnecessarily you may pass by,
like you were talking about thetrees and endemic species, and
there's something really specialabout having that expert
insight so that you learn in away that doesn't feel like
you're in a classroom.
Ashley Longshore (09:56):
Well, you come back home and you're different.
It isn't just about I need togo fucking relax or I want to go
to St Bart's and get loadedwith my friends and dance on
tables.
This is about what I said.
It's a soul douche.
Have I learned something new?
Have I changed?
Do I have a differentperspective?
That's the kind of vacationthat I want, that my soul needs,
(10:18):
you know.
Brendan Drewniany (10:18):
Totally.
Is there a destination thatstands out to you as being
deeply tied to a specificemotion for you?
Ashley Longshore (10:25):
I've got to be honest with you.
The trips that I've taken thatare like outdoor adventures, are
my favorite trips of all time.
Africa, of course, it's justsuch an adventure.
India, my soul.
But you know, for somethingthat is very close.
I mean, if you're in New York,it's a five hour flight.
Iceland will serve everythingthat you could ever imagine,
(10:47):
from picnicking on a grassyknoll to snowmobiling on a
glacier, you know, having a shotof Icelandic birch liquor in an
ice cave and looking forfairies while you milk a cow out
on a knoll.
I mean, are you kidding me?
It's literally the greatestplace.
At the end of all, that you getto go to, one of the best spas
(11:11):
in the world.
I'm sorry, tell me a betterplace.
Tell me I'm waiting.
Brendan Drewniany (11:15):
It's the best .
I mean it's just absolutely thebest.
What were some standoutexperiences that really kind of
like pulled on your heartstringsor that you, yeah, just made
you like take a breath?
Ashley Longshore (11:24):
I think, first of all, let's talk about the
thing that really makes a tripincredible, and that's the
people that are there.
Icelandic people are thecoolest people.
They're very calm but also verycolorful.
They're very warm and invitingand they're very, very proud of
their country.
(11:44):
But my favorite thing is howthey love fairies and they
believe in ghosts.
They really believe in thespirit of the land.
So when they tell you about it,not only do you get to hear
that unbelievable Icelandicaccent, but it really is
delightful to hear the pridethat they have in their country
(12:05):
and all the mysticism.
Brendan Drewniany (12:06):
The mysticism yeah, I think that's a really
like key part of Iceland and thecreative energy too.
Right, I mean beyond just Yorkas well.
Ashley Longshore (12:14):
You could have a really, really hot Nordic
dude cook you lamb in a cavethat's been there for like
forever.
I'm sorry, that's awesome.
Then you go out on littlebuggies and you drive around and
get off and you walk throughthis mossy areas while the sun
hits your face but it's likecool wind in your hair, and then
you walk behind a waterfall andthen the guy gets you back out
(12:38):
in the grass and says just laydown for a minute, and you let
the moss just envelop your body.
It feels like.
It feels like the softestmattress you've ever been in and
the sun is in your face andyou're like fuck, I'm never
leaving here.
How can I move my company here?
And then, like I was there onetime, um, right before Easter,
and the lambs were the littlesheep they were starting to have
(13:00):
their lambs.
It was a little bit early, butour guide, his family, had a
farm and they had a little lambit was the first lamb of the
year.
And they were oh, I want you tomeet my family.
And we went there and I had alittle lamb, it was the first
lamb of the year.
And they were oh, I want you tomeet my family.
And we went there and I held alittle baby lamb.
It was just like they're just,it's just the greatest, the
greatest.
Brendan Drewniany (13:17):
It is the greatest.
Yeah, there's, that's a feeling, and that's a kind of feeling
of contentment, almost rightwhen you're there.
Yeah, and the food there isamazing.
Ashley Longshore (13:24):
The food there is incredible.
I feel like there's been likesome sort of like a media BS
that's made you think that youknow all they eat are penguins
and puffins.
That is so wrong.
There's actually so much likeThai food incredible Thai food
and the lamb that they eat thesalads.
Everything is so fresh anddelicious.
Brendan Drewniany (13:45):
So, fresh.
Ashley Longshore (13:46):
It's a wonderful culinary experience
too, quite frankly.
Brendan Drewniany (13:49):
You are absolutely right, and sushi is
killer.
Ashley Longshore (13:51):
But if you get shit faced and need chicken
strips at three in the morning,it might not be the right place
for you.
Brendan Drewniany (13:57):
That's a really good point, because you
know in.
Reykjavik, they do like toparty.
Ashley Longshore (14:01):
Yeah, well, you know, you can get a really
good hot dog.
Brendan Drewniany (14:04):
That's right.
We all love a dog.
We all love a dog.
Why do you think travel oftenamplifies emotions compared to
just sort of the everyday lifeand I say everyday life
obviously you have a milliondifferent emotions.
Ashley Longshore (14:22):
I think it's because, you know, human beings,
we're very adaptable.
I think we can get in our ownenvironments and we get very
used to it and we have like thatrhythm.
I think when we are travelingand we're doing it in a way that
we really love again, all ofyour senses are ignited because
everything is new.
I mean, I remember the firsttime I went to India and I'm
like I'm walking into thisbeautiful hotel in Delhi and
(14:44):
they had like rose scentedincense burning and then it
smelled like smoke in the cityand these beautiful men were
helping me with the bags andtheir gorgeous turbans and then
just the botany of the hotelitself that I was like oh my God
, am I dead?
(15:05):
This is the most incredible,this is what I've been looking
for, this is the maximalism andthe greatness.
It just it changes you.
It changes your soul.
It's just, it's a soul douche.
Brendan Drewniany (15:17):
It's a soul douche it is, and it's much
needed Kind of like building onthat too.
I mean, you mentioned sort ofEurope and some kind of like
challenges being overwhelmed,but have you ever experienced
sort of like bittersweet ormelancholic feelings while
traveling?
Did that ever come into play?
Or yes, if?
Ashley Longshore (15:34):
I go to a hotel that I thought was going
to be awesome and it's not.
And a lot of times in Italy youknow we would stay out and
party really, really late.
And I think we're at theCiranus and honey, you cannot
get room service there at fouro'clock in the morning.
They will literally bring yousome sliced cheese and a
baguette which, by the way,ain't cute to eat naked and
(15:55):
drunk, hanging a half off thebed at four o'clock in the
morning in Italy, or maybe it is, I don't know Melancholy.
It depends on what you're goingto see.
There's some very heavy thingsto witness that have happened in
the world and to hear thehistory of those things.
Brendan Drewniany (16:12):
There's certain art, too, that I want to
go to, certain museums orgalleries.
Ashley Longshore (16:15):
I mean I got really pissed.
I got really pissed at theVatican.
Owen Vince (16:19):
You want to know why why.
Ashley Longshore (16:21):
Well, they have the largest private art
collection in the world and theydon't have any art created by
women.
Fair point I have a problem withthat.
Also, I'm very respectful toother cultures.
When I'm traveling, of course Ihave my shoulders covered.
I have my knees covered.
I mean this is a sacred place.
But I had on this necklace.
I had on this necklace my guide, who is wonderful and a
(16:44):
wonderful woman.
She's talking to one of the menin the main cathedral, you know
, and he was very upset that Ihad this necklace on and she
said you have to cover it.
And I'm thinking she said hesaid it was too gaudy.
And I'm like there's a waxedhuman five feet from me.
Damn Boy, they're a tough,tough crowd, tough crowd man.
(17:11):
That is too good, no, but youknow what it was.
It was a piece of turquoise andit had like a little snake on
it and he was not having it.
He was doing his job.
Of course, I covered itimmediately out of respect, but
I also thought, dang, this isthe most elaborate room I've
ever been in in my life.
You know, I mean, but look, Ithink I think when you're
traveling, those culturaldifferences are really important
(17:34):
and you know, learning what youneed to do to be respectful of
people and where they're from isthat's really important.
Also, it can be so embarrassingto be an American right now.
I mean, it's like god.
I feel like I find myselfapologizing, like I'm sorry, oh,
like I promise you, we'reamazing.
We're a country full ofwonderful people, you know, just
(17:56):
like you and every country hasits own.
Brendan Drewniany (17:58):
You know even places that aren't as far along
with places like Iceland.
You know they have their, andevery country has its own.
You know even places thataren't as far along with places
like iceland.
You know they have their owncustoms and ways of being and,
of course, when I was in themaldives.
Ashley Longshore (18:06):
I mean, look, I mean you know, when you're
making that transport from theairport to the islands, I mean
you know you have to be veryrespectful and, um, I think
that's really, really important.
I love that.
I love learning about thesecultural differences.
It's you know what you'resmarter when you travel.
You just are.
You learn a lot.
Brendan Drewniany (18:23):
It's true.
Has the feeling you experiencedwhile traveling ever influenced
your life choices or personalgrowth?
Ashley Longshore (18:29):
Like was there this moment where you were
traveling and it might have,like, inspired you to do
something within your oh yeah,even like after the first time I
went to France and I came backhere and I was like your caviar
is mushy and your champagne isburned, hell yeah, you go
somewhere and, like you know,you go to Italy and you have the
(18:51):
pasta that somebody's Nona andtheir Nona and their Nona and
their Nona taught him how tomake it.
And then you come back here andyou're like this ain't real
pasta.
Pasta, those kind of littlethings.
You know, yes, you learn whatthe real deal is and you witness
things that have not beenAmericanized, and you meet
people that have great pride inwhat they do.
I mean, I remember thedifference in me being in
(19:14):
Shanghai and then being in Tokyo.
When I was in Shanghai, youknow like I order a glass of
champagne and I would take a,two sips and then they fill it
back up immediately.
Like this woman is not going tonot have this glass of
champagne in Tokyo.
I order a glass of champagne.
It took 20 minutes to get it.
You want to know why.
They wanted to make sure it hadthe perfect amount of bubbles
in it.
They wanted to make sure therewas no fingerprints on the glass
(19:37):
.
There was no fingerprints onthe glass.
They wanted it to be absolutelyperfect.
For me, the amount of pride thatthat particular culture has in
what they do and taking theirtime the exact opposite of
Americans, where we're likehurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.
More, more, more, more, da, da,da, da, da da.
It's interesting to travel andhave that brain switch that goes
(20:04):
from how we operate, where wework, work, work, grind, to
being like whoa, like there'sagain another way to live.
And then you come back home andyou go.
You know what I'm gonna make?
Pasta tonight.
I'm gonna make pasta that'sgonna take me eight fucking
hours and I'm gonna do it.
I'm gonna do it the way thatso-and-so's nona taught me to do
it, and I'm gonna do it thebest I can, and it's gonna going
to be delicious and you do that.
You get back and then you youtalk about it with your friends
(20:24):
and then you go back there withyour friends.
Brendan Drewniany (20:25):
It's so fun and I think that's like you know
, cooking classes in generalSometimes I think that's what's
so special too is likeespecially if you like to cook.
I suppose, if you don't like tocook, then what is?
Ashley Longshore (20:35):
honey, I love to cook.
Brendan Drewniany (20:36):
I got chicken in the oven right now we're
cooking right now we're cookingright on to like when you look
specifically like how you wantto travel and the emotions, like
how the emotions that you'reseeking in travel evolved over
time.
What do you seek, is it?
Ashley Longshore (20:50):
well, I mean iceland and adventure, and I've
been in a relationship for 20years, back in the day when I
was travel.
I'm looking for dick in a goodtime, honey.
You know what I what I'm saying.
I want to get drunk, I want toget laid, I want to be exhausted
when I get home.
Now it's, you know, the exactopposite.
I want to rest, but I also wantto see the world.
I want to learn something, youknow.
I want to be fulfilled in adifferent way, if you know what
(21:11):
I mean.
Uh.
Are there places or experiencesthat you'd recommend for people
(21:32):
to feel something extraordinary,just feel absolutely
extraordinary.
Not to keep tooting the horn,but Iceland is just a really the
history there.
It's so young.
It's so young, but also thevolcanic activity and the growth
of it, learning about all thoseVikings seeing water that
you've probably never seenbefore and birds, and it's like
you know.
You go in Reykjavik and you meetthese incredibly colorful,
music-loving, art-loving,healthy people, by the way, that
(21:57):
love their city, but then theyjust have such a great
admiration for the outdoors anda respect for it.
For me, I feel like I have alot to learn from them.
But also, it's so much fun.
It is just so much fun to beadventuring outside, especially
if you have a job where you're,you know, in an office every day
or talk about breaking yournormal routine.
(22:18):
I mean, you know four wheelingpast a whale carcass on a beach
covered in sea lions, and thenyou know the day after that
you're, you know, watching amassive geyser and then at a
tomato farm eating fresh bread,and then you're snowmobiling on
a glacier at 70 miles an hour,by the way, screaming at the top
of your lungs, with wind inyour hair and icicles come out
(22:42):
of the snot of your nose andyou've never been happier about
it.
It's just, it's a pretty greattrip.
Brendan Drewniany (22:47):
Yeah, I think to that and to when you travel
and when you're thinking about,like, what it looks like.
You know, do you want kind of a, you want a bit of?
I mean, you live in New YorkCity, live in the epicenter of
everything.
You want to get a little ofthis culture in the city.
But you also want you're kindof seeking some serenity too,
right?
I mean, it's a noisy existence.
Ashley Longshore (23:05):
I think that too, though, like, for example,
when I was in India.
I mean, that is a very you know, delhi is a very chaotic city
in the most wonderful way, in away that I'd never witnessed
before.
So, yeah, going from the chaosof New York City into that felt
very relaxing to me, in astrange way Interesting Also.
(23:29):
Just to be somewhere completelydifferent and to be surrounded
by this in a place where nobodyknows who the hell I am.
I just I get high on it.
It's strange, but I get high onit.
It's strange but I get high onit.
It doesn't have to be and, tobe honest, with you just laying
on a beach chair frying in thesun is not something I live for,
right, I want to go walkthrough a garden.
(23:50):
I want to hear a hummingbirdlaying on a flower I've never
seen before.
I want somebody to make me acocktail and serve me like an
amazing ceviche that I've nevertasted.
I want to go on a boat and finda conch and I want to bust that
conch open and then go back andsit with the chef and make a
conch fritter with thatmotherfucker.
You know what I mean.
Absolutely.
That's what I like to do, Canyou tell?
(24:12):
I like to travel.
Brendan Drewniany (24:14):
I think you like to travel a little bit.
Ashley Longshore (24:16):
Can you tell, I need a vacation right now,
brendan, you need a vacation.
Brendan Drewniany (24:18):
I think we're going to have to help you with
that.
Ashley Longshore (24:20):
I think so.
Brendan Drewniany (24:21):
So here's a very heavier question.
But what does the pursuit offeeling mean to you?
Ashley Longshore (24:26):
Sometimes anticipation can make you very
anxious.
If we're talking specificallyabout traveling, of course, you
know you have to do it the rightway, with the right people,
where you have no expectationsother than just sponging
something.
I mean, I've just seen a lot ofthings that I never would have
(24:47):
thought I would see with my owneyes.
Brendan Drewniany (24:49):
And maybe for you, it's really just being
open.
Ashley Longshore (24:52):
It's sponging man, it's sponging.
You can plan a lot, but youcan't always plan your emotions
and your feelings when youwitness what you've planned, and
I think that's what I love assomebody who really wants to
grow from travel.
Brendan Drewniany (25:11):
What's one place?
I mean, you've been so manyplaces, but where did you feel a
real connection with a localartist in community or artists
in general when you weretraveling?
Have you experienced that?
Ashley Longshore (25:22):
I mean, I generally find out a way to do
that everywhere I go.
I was in Jamaica, down inBluefields, and I ended up at
the school, meeting with all thestudents for two days.
I ended up painting with themand talking to them about, you
know, being an artist andworking with them.
The last time I was in Africa,I ended up at a school Nolo
Pikidongo in Kenya and I endedup painting murals with all the
(25:44):
kids and that was reallyunbelievable.
Whenever I'm in Italy, I seekout artists, I buy art when I
can.
I mean, for me, finding the artis finding the heart of the
city.
Great cities are founded onartists, on music, on food, on
visual art, on literature.
(26:06):
You don't go to a city becausethe lawyers are awesome there,
you know.
You don't go vacate somewherebecause there's, you know, a
bunch of fucking.
You know, I guess, plasticsurgery Hello, that might be fun
.
That's my next vacation,brendan.
Brendan Drewniany (26:20):
I was going to say I seek that Also.
Ashley Longshore (26:24):
I can understand a lot more about that
area when I see the creativeexpression, like I haven't been
to Cuba yet.
But everybody that I know islike you wouldn't believe the
artists down there.
Incredible the graphicdesigners down there, I guess
because they haven't had theopportunity to really put their
stuff out there in the world,like some of other countries
have Unbelievable art down thereand you learn a lot about the
(26:46):
people from that.
That's just really, reallyimportant to me.
Brendan Drewniany (26:49):
Yeah, no, Cuba is definitely up there.
Incredible art scene and visualarts to mixed mediums films.
I feel like it's this sort ofuntapped kind of spot, so maybe
we need to go there together.
Ashley Longshore (27:01):
What I was trying to say was a community
completely stifled by communistpolitics.
That's what I was trying to say, correct?
Brendan Drewniany (27:08):
Well, there you go, you know, communism Not
great.
Not great so looking at thatwhat emotions are you hoping to
explore through your nexttravels, and where might you go
to find it?
Where are you headed and whatdo you want to feel?
Ashley Longshore (27:24):
I really want to go back to Iceland, number
one.
I want to go there like ahundred times before I die.
I've been three times so far.
You know I've never been toPanama.
I really would love to go downthere.
Apparently, they have someincredible resorts with private
islands and a botanist resortswith private islands and a
botanist and you can do like viptours of the panama canal.
(27:44):
There's like a place where youcan go.
So I'd love to do that, god.
I'd love to go to cuba.
I want to go back to india.
I've never been to morocco.
I really want to do that.
I feel like I was just born tohave on a caftan and be in a
souk.
I just is a feeling I've got Icould see you in tangier.
Brendan Drewniany (27:59):
I need to be there I need to be there.
Ashley Longshore (28:02):
There's a lot of europe I haven't seen yet,
and I also haven't been to likesweden or norway.
I need to do that.
God damn, I've really got a lotto do.
I've got a lot to see.
Before I'm shitting down oneleg and pissing down the other,
I guess I'd better get busy.
But I mean, that's the otherthing with travel, man, you're
going to be old one day.
(28:22):
You're going to be old.
It's hard to do it.
You have to do it now.
Seize the day.
Why do you work hard so you cango see the world?
You have to make the time.
I feel like for me, after COVID, I haven't been making the time
.
I mean, I moved my company toNew York.
I've got all this shit going onand I'm like what am I doing?
I've got to get back out thereand see the world.
I'm missing it.
(28:43):
I'm missing it terribly and theclock is ticking.
Brendan Drewniany (28:46):
It is.
You know, you travel specificplaces for like installs and
shows and you're, you're like aforce and a presence in so many
places.
I mean even like, look, let'slook at New York fashion week
and we can bring it back to our,you know, home turf.
But do you ever findinspiration, even when you're on
a work trip and it's reallybusy and you're talking to
collectors.
Do you find that inspiration?
Ashley Longshore (29:05):
I'm like an antenna on top of a building.
I'm just like looking for it.
Of course, and again, even whenI'm traveling in different
places and having shows indifferent countries, yes, I'm
looking at all of that.
It's actually very overwhelmingto be working and sponging an
entirely new environment, butalso wonderful, like when I did
(29:26):
this partnership with Clos dePeau in Shanghai.
I got there and I never, ever,have you been there.
Brendan Drewniany (29:34):
Personally, I have not no.
Ashley Longshore (29:35):
You would never believe that all of those
beautiful hotels, all of that,it is Art Deco, heaven, every
Art Deco.
And I'm thinking what in thehell?
This is unbelievable.
I just you know things likeit's just.
Brendan Drewniany (29:51):
Yes, I don't you know the world will surprise
you, Is that your favoritearchitectural style Art Deco.
Ashley Longshore (29:56):
I love Art, deco jewelry a whole lot.
You know, I really love thatMoroccan vibe.
But you know, for me, I meanI've, I've got art everywhere.
You wouldn't believe it.
I'm a big collector.
So I, I, uh, I like to besurrounded by as much art as
possible.
Brendan Drewniany (30:11):
I think that's that should be something
that we all aspire to do.
I mean, it makes it'll make youfeel richer?
Ashley Longshore (30:21):
Yeah, it'll definitely make you feel good.
Owen Vince (30:22):
The only way it would be better is if somebody
else bought the art for me.
Brendan Drewniany (30:23):
There's a service for that, Ashley.
Ashley Longshore (30:30):
Yeah.
Brendan Drewniany (30:37):
Well, you know, you're just like a
complete inspiration to so manypeople and I think being able to
talk with you is such a anenlightening and energizing
experience and I can just sortof feel how you draft when you
travel, like how you draftenergy when you travel and kind
of like are an energy maker too.
But I think, yeah, there's somuch that you've discussed that
it just resonates really with mein terms of when I assess and
and yeah, and the sort offeelings that you're after, and
(30:57):
sometimes you may not whatyou're after, but when you think
thoughtfully and just withintention, I think that you
sound like a quite intentionaltraveler and that's what we hope
most people are.
Ashley Longshore (31:06):
Well, yeah, because you could fall in love.
You could fall in love with anew place, you could fall in
love with a new flower, youcould fall in love with a new
cuisine.
Hell, you might like reallyfall in love, you know.
But if you're, if you're opento that, that's I think that's
the most important thing abouttravel.
You're going to learn somethingand have fun.
Brendan Drewniany (31:24):
All right.
Well, Ashley, this was anabsolute pleasure.
Thanks so much for joining andcan't wait to hear about your
next adventure.
Ashley Longshore (31:31):
Me too.
Thank you so much.
I love you guys.
Owen Vince (31:35):
You've been listening to the Pursuit of
Feeling, a podcast by BlackTomato.
You've been listening to thePursuit of Feeling, a podcast by
Black Tomato.
If you've enjoyed this episode,then please hit the subscribe
button.
We've got a lot more episodeson the way, and if you're
feeling inspired by what you'veheard today, then visit
blacktomatocom.
We'll help you to travel whereyour heart is.
Thanks for listening.
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