The $20,000 Motivation

The Splurge is our monthly column about entrepreneurs’ first big gift to themselves—because hard work deserves its rewards. This month: a watch that tells more than time.

- Stephanie Schomer

Ashley Longshore is very familiar with the meaning of starving artist. “I have price-shopped for tortilla chips at Walmart, OK?” says the New Orleans– based pop artist. Today Longshore’s work—think Abe Lincoln with a sparkly turquoise beard and a bedazzled blazer—is beloved by the art world and celebrities alike. (She counts Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, and Eli Manning as clients.) But it took her a long time to get here.