Ashby Galleries

For those who exclusively tour the Gaslamp District for the latest in clubs, fine restaurants, and nightlife, one can miss many of the treasures found within the various shops and galleries. Among those hidden treasures is the Ashby Gallery, home of a unique and extremely talented artist by the name of Tim Cantor.

Located adjacent to the Horton Grand Hotel, there's a certain feeling that pervades the senses when walking into the gallery. Visitors are greeted by soft, dreamlike music that accentuates the surreal paintings inside, and look to be the result of an imagined production of Cirque du Soleil if it were directed by Tim Burton. Accompanying these images is the curator and Tim's wife, Amy Cantor. Amy greets each guest with elegance and a warm smile that evokes a sense of familiarity, even if it's the first time in visiting.

Tim himself is something of an enigma. He rarely makes appearances on the gallery floor, allowing Amy to be the spokesperson for his work, and answer questions on his behalf. Instead, he spends each night working on his creations well into the next morning. Whenever he is spotted, however, Tim is gracious enough to share insights behind the influences of his work, or sign a copy of his art book.

Originally from San Francisco, Tim and his wife moved to San Diego in the early 2000's to open the Ashby Gallery downtown, where it has maintained success, and continual updates of works throughout the year. Semi-annual art shows are held at the gallery to showcase his continual evolution in artistic style.

It is not uncommon for a random painting to catch the eye of the person walking by the gallery window, and once drawn inside, it is just as simple to become a fan of Tim's work. There are elements found in the paintings that can speak to the dreamer in each of us, and once awakened, become an unforgettable experience.