Artist finds business growth when she returns home to Somerset County

Some people cringe when they reference the year 2020. For Ashlynne Berkebile, it was a year of change and new passion. She was working in the mental health space and was burnt out. At the end of the year, she and her husband quit their jobs and moved to North Carolina. In trying to find a new source of income, she found the career of her dreams.

With Bob Ross as her inspiration, she began oil painting. “I started to get frustrated with learning his techniques and began to do my own thing,” Berkebile said. “There is still Bob Ross inspiration in my work, but it has evolved into my own style.”

I put the paint on the canvas and let it guide me through the scene. We can all be creative if we take the pressure off ourselves and enjoy the process.

Berkebile said she doesn’t start her unique landscapes with a plan or expectation, and she uses unexpected tools like paper towels to allow her paintings to come to life. “I try to be very free when I paint,” she said. “I put the paint on the canvas and let it guide me through the scene. We can all be creative if we take the pressure off ourselves and enjoy the process.”

After a successful pop-up event, she registered her business and began painting all the time. “There was no going back,” she shared. “I needed a way to make an income, so I figured I would try taking something I love and turn it into my job… AZ Oilscapes was born.”

Berkebile quickly realized she had no desire to return to the healthcare field. “I knew I didn’t want to go back to a traditional job,” she said, “and I work more hours now than I ever had before, but I love what I am doing, so it doesn’t feel like work.”

Even as her new business thrived, Ashlynne and her husband struggled to find a niche in North Carolina. They initially lived with Berkebile’s in-laws after moving, but soon moved into a house with the intention of settling down. “We lived in our new home for three months and realized we weren’t happy,” she shared. “We started looking for a house in Pennsylvania, and in September 2022, we moved back, and it just felt right.”

This move landed them in the Alleghenies. “I feel this area is perfect for my business specifically because of the beautiful nature and the people’s appreciation for rustic, authentic artwork, which my business fits into perfectly,” she said. “The close-knit structure of the communities here drives massive support for small local businesses.”

“When we planned to move back, I was afraid I would lose momentum,” she explained. “But, it was the exact opposite. My business has grown, and my sales have increased. The team at Startup Alleghenies has been instrumental in that.”

“My coach Matt Reckner keeps me accountable,” Berkebile said. “I meet with him every few weeks to discuss my progress and where I need help. He is a good source of information, and together we come up with weird, good ideas.”

“The resources I have gained through Startup Alleghenies have helped me to transform my business for sustainable long-term growth,” she added.

My coach Matt Reckner keeps me accountable. The resources I have gained through Startup Alleghenies have helped me to transform my business.

“Ashlynne is a maker to her core,” Reckner said. “She strives to make every piece of her business her own, and we are working to make that entrepreneurial spirit thrive to reach long-term sustainability.”

“I create everything from the actual art to the display racks to the business cards and the wood frames. I make all of it,” she shared. “I think it’s my love for creativity and my desire to show up stripped down, in a one-of-a-kind way, that is at the core of my business.”

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.