by Lorie Lewis Ham
Ani-Me Con 12.0 will be held at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 16 – Sunday, March 17. We have attended the past two years, and they are always a lot of fun. It’s great to have an event like this in Fresno. 
According to the event’s Facebook page, this year’s event will have over 200+ vendors, 100+ guests, artists, exhibitors, and fan clubs. This year will include more guest speakers, panels, voice actors/actresses, live entertainment, cosplay contests, anime events, maid cafe, trading card tournaments, video gaming tournaments, live bands, DJs, singers, dancers, directors, comedian, import car club, LARPing, rave party, and more.
One of the local vendors there this year is Ashley Smith of Le Spirit Designs, who is from Clovis. Each year we try to chat with one of the local artists and this time we had the chance to chat with Ashley.
KRL: When did you first become interested in creating art?
Ashley: My family will tell you I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil. Art has always been part of my life, and I took on a career minded interest to it in high school.
KRL: What mediums do you work in?
Ashley: My go-to medium is digital, but I do love to dabble in watercolor and gouache paints. I also used to use alcohol markers quite a bit, but have fallen out of that medium.
KRL: You mention on your website being an illustrator and I was wondering what you have illustrated? Do you mostly create and sell your own art, or do you use your creative talents working with others too?
Ashley
Ashley: Illustrating is my passion, and I love coming up with scenes and characters to draw. My degree is in Graphic Design so I did have a brief career in that field, but I mostly use that skill now to build my own brand. All of the things I sell in my business are from artwork that I have created.
KRL: When and why did you decide to start your own shop?
Ashley: I started Le Spirit Designs in 2017, because I wanted a more formal way to sell my artwork to the world. I also always found an interest in selling my work at artist alleys and markets, and my very first event with a proper table was at Ani-Me in 2017!
KRL: How did you come up with the name?
Ashley: Le Spirit Designs is a name derived from over 10 years’ worth of internet usernames I’ve had from my teen years. I wanted to keep it familiar, yet distinct from any of the usernames I had in the past!
KRL: Please tell us about your products.
Ashley: My products have changed and evolved as I find my footing in this business, but my shop is mostly stationery! Stickers, sticker storage books, sticky notes, washi tape, memo pads, along with fun collectibles and accessories like keychains, lanyards, enamel pins, and plush toys.
KRL: How do you decide what art you are going to create?
Ashley: This is a tricky question to answer while I’ve been dealing with art block! But usually something that inspires me will spark an idea, or there’s a season or holiday approaching that I know I want to make merch for. Autumn and Halloween are my biggest inspiration, so a lot of my art is autumnal or spooky, despite being cute.
KRL: Do you only do your own designs or do you ever do fan art?
Ashley: This is the first year I’m moving into 100% original characters and art for selling in my shop, but fan art is where I got my start! I don’t think I’ll ever stop drawing fan art, but as I strive for my business to be a legitimate and reliable venture, I won’t be selling it moving forward.
KRL: What makes your art unique?
Ashley: Impostor syndrome may be speaking for me a bit here, but really the thing that makes my art unique is that it’s mine! Though from a personal perspective, it’s interesting to look back at my art through the years and recognize what my muses were at that time, if I was going for a more Disney or more anime style with my drawings, and what aspect of art I was focusing on improving at the time (anatomy, backgrounds, coloring, painting techniques). My work is a fun personal time capsule.
KRL: Fun! How many conventions do you typically sell at during the year?
Ashley: We usually do around 12-15 conventions a year, traveling up and down the state. I’m trying to cut back a bit more this year for a variety of reasons, though we are hoping to do more out of California cons!
KRL: What will you be bringing to sell this year?
Ashley: This year I’ll have my usual wares such as stickers, sticker books, keychains and enamel pins, but I’m excited to debut the magnetic plush of my mushroom character Periwinkle! He was funded on Kickstarter in 2022 and I started bringing him to cons in May of 2023, so this will be Fresno’s first look at him in person!
KRL: Do you know where your booth will be?
Ashley: Yes, I will be at booth 103 in the artist alley! I will be participating in a stamp rally with some other amazing local artists, so be sure to stop by my booth to participate and win a cute prize.
KRL: Where can people find you online?
Ashley: You can find my online shop at lespiritdesigns.com, support my monthly Patreon for my Sticker Club and business insights at patreon.com/LeSpiritDesigns, check out my weekly vlogs on YouTube at youtube.com/c/lespiritdesigns, or on Instagram and TikTok @lespiritdesigns!
KRL: Anything you would like to add?
Ashley: Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Thank you for chatting with us!
You can learn more about this year’s Ani-Me Con on their website and purchase your tickets! ani-me.com
Check out more local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.
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