Press Kit
About Ashley Regina Lucas
Ashley Regina Lucas is an illustrator, author, and creative brand‑builder whose work blends cozy storytelling with a touch of ocean‑born magic. Through her coastal art brand, Sook & Hook, she transforms everyday animals and objects into whimsical characters that celebrate comfort, kindness, and imagination. Her debut traditionally published book, Mermaid Candy: A Sea Glass Adventure launches in March 2026, expanding her signature world of gentle humor and heartfelt creativity. Ashley resides in a charming Victorian town on the Jersey Shore with her family and lives for afternoon cappuccinos, collecting crystals, and celebrating holidays—especially her favorite, Halloween. Photo credit: Alicia Seeley Photography
Extended Biography
Ashley Lucas is an illustrator, author, and creative brand‑builder whose work invites people into a world where whimsy, comfort, and gentle magic coexist. Through her studio, Sook & Hook, she transforms everyday animals and objects into tender, character‑driven stories that celebrate kindness, imagination, and the small joys that anchor us. Her debut traditionally published book releases in March 2026, marking a new chapter in her career as she brings her cozy, heartfelt universe to an even wider audience.
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Ashley has been creating art since childhood. At eighteen, she moved to New York City to study at New York University, a leap that shaped her creative voice and introduced her to the vibrant world of illustration and design. After years of building her business from the ground up—illustrating, designing products, and nurturing a loyal community—her life shifted profoundly during the pandemic, when her family relocated to the Jersey Shore. The move to the coast became a turning point, grounding her in a slower rhythm and infusing her work with the ocean’s quiet, restorative magic.
Ashley is also the mother of amazing seven‑year‑old boy, whose curiosity, humor, and boundless imagination inspire many of her characters and stories. Motherhood deepened her belief that creativity can be both playful and profound, and that art has the power to comfort, delight, and connect people of all ages.
Whether she’s crafting a whimsical character, designing a cozy piece of merchandise, or sharing the behind‑the‑scenes rhythms of her studio life, Ashley’s work encourages people to slow down, smile, and reconnect with their own sense of wonder. She continues to expand her artistic world through collaborations, author events, and new product lines—always guided by the gentle, ocean‑born spirit at the heart of her practice.
Mermaid Candy: A Sea Glass Adventure
One day, a sweet little mermaid discovers frosty glass pieces in her underwater cove. Their range of pretty colors—cotton candy blue! caramel brown! juicy lime!—inspires her to dub them “Mermaid Candy,” but she realizes that they do not belong in the ocean. Despite their beautiful appearance, these treasures are actually remnants of trash that is polluting the ocean and endangering underwater creatures. The mermaid rallies her merbunny friends to pull off a creative solution that protects the ocean and its marine life, while enchanting beachcombers on the shore.
- ISBN 10: 0764370731
- ISBN 13: 978-0764370731
Topics I Love to Discuss
- What exactly is 'sea glass' and where can you find it?
- The meaning behind the title, 'Mermaid Candy'.
- How spirituality plays into my everyday creative routines, (crystals, tarot, moon water).
- What the average person can do today to help clean up our beaches.
- Encouragement for other creatives looking to pursue their dreams.
Past Features & Collaborations
Contact for Media Inquiries
For interviews, features or speaking requests, contact Ashley here.