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It’ll Be Alright: Original Drawings For Hope and Wellbeing

May 17th, 2020 by Emma

47 Days into UK Coronavirus Lockdown

It’ll Be Alright is an ongoing collection of pastel drawings that first took shape in response to COVID lockdown. One seemingly tedious (but sunny) afternoon, I planted myself in the garden with a stack of freshly torn paper and a gigantic box of soft pastels. Little did I know, an extensive collection of bright pastel works would unfold within a few hours.

Spontaneous, enthusiastic and assertive marks in varying bright hues evolved into confident mental landscapes. As I stared at the first 8 works basking in the sun on the patio, my previously numb mental status evolved into some sort of state of nostalgia, calmness and wellbeing. These pieces felt comforting and hopeful.

This Collection Has Two Creators

During this lockdown, our house has seemingly turned upside down and inside out. Mountains of paper cover the table surfaces, invoices for pending orders envelop a wall in the dining room, pastel and paint have stained the patio and kitchen floor, cardboard boxes have somehow reproduced..

And for a long time I’d moan at Jon for having too many tools, bicycles and man toys in the house. The hypocrisy is now worryingly evident.

He’s had to put up wth a lot of mess, mood, anxiety and imposter syndrome from me over the last few weeks of lockdown, so I wanted to involve him in this collection. He has been given the role of naming each of the artworks.

Despite the collection’s romantic and joyful ideology and aesthetic, it certainly comes with a challenge for me. Having Jon name the pieces is forcing me to let go of some control and take a step back from the obsessive and meticulous process I usually have with my work.

Quickest Selling Collection Yet

Thank you to all of you who have collected pieces, so far. Since the release date on 08/05/20, 22 pieces have sold – and I can’t wait to see where the others will end up.

I hope that each piece will bring you hope, evoke feelings of calmness and motivate you to keep your chin up under these current circumstances. It’ll be alright.

Oh, and the collection will continue. Stay tuned.

You can read more about the collection and collect pieces here.

Mountain 2020: A Virtual Exhibition To Reach The Summit

April 20th, 2020 by Emma

Mountain (2020)

Mountain (2020), an eclectic collection of 50 original paintings and drawings; here to honour the ascent and descent of all our life mountains.

Throughout life, we all experience the same emotions. Granted, in varying degrees, dependant on what happens during each of our lifetimes.. But at some point, we all laugh until it hurts, we all cry until no tears are left, we all move our body in weird ways, we all shout in anger, we all feel love in our own ways, we all get jealous, we all have our own strange behaviours, we all find life difficult, we all have moments of feeling hard done by, we all get set in our own ways, we all will lose someone we love, we all are in the midst of a health crisis.. we all are climbing a metaphorical mountain. And each of our mountains are different – consider the altitude, flora, fauna, weather conditions, temperature, location, vistas, rock type, climbing difficulty.. none are the same.

The varying works in the Mountain collection represent the challenges we encounter in our lives, the trauma we overcome and the adventurous voyage we take to reach our goals. May they remind you of not only how far you’ve come already, but also how far you’ve got left to go. May they encourage you to keep your eye on the ball, drive forward to achieve your goals and keep climbing your life mountain.

The collection can be broken down into a number of series: 16 Mountains, 8 Hikes, The Diptychs & Triptychs, Pack Your Raincoat, 8 Monochromes, Reaching The Summit and The View.

16 Mountains

The works that kicked off the Mountain collection were 16 paintings, each existing as abstract miniature mountains. Colours, marks and textures you see within these works (as well as others) are sourced from real landscapes and mental landscapes. 

As part of this series of miniatures, I wrote brief “mountainscopes” to match the works with their ideal collectors. You can find out which mountain you match with in this blog post.

8 Hikes

To create each of these works, I followed the same route. Every piece began with recklessly applied pools of colour, then followed by journeys of soft pastel to exude varying feelings of enthusiasm, panic, bewilder and calmness; the final trail was a meandering pencil, that leaves behind traces to remember the route.

Bright hues, rough textures and spontaneous marks are there to take you on a visual hike; prompting your eyes to roam and your mind to take a wander. 

Let’s go on a hike.

You can view the 8 Hikes virtual exhibition here.

The Diptychs & Triptychs

I set a side challenge for myself when I was putting together this collection. I’ve always been slightly intimidated by the idea of creating diptychs (two artworks that exist as one entity) and triptychs (three artworks that exist as one entity). Concentrating on one artwork, ensuring that it boasts its own unique statement and making it stand alone confidently is what I’m used to. So, with these works, I went off piste and pushed my imagination to create works that are comfortable living and working in a partnership.

Pack Your Raincoat

The five Pack Your Raincoat pieces evoke quite a wide range of emotions, and also put a spotlight on a few of my personality traits. Some works carry colours that are brash, bold and bossy that are sitting quite contently next to subdued, timid and contemplative marks. Other works focus on a stubborn and moody grey, juxtaposed with an apologetic pink or a fleck of hopeful gold. 

When Jon and I go hiking, Jon insists on preparing for any situation that could occur. In case we are too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too hungry, too uncomfortable, too itchy, too blistery.. whether we’re going to fall down, climb up, run away, walk, chase, escape, fly.. he needs to prepare. Me, on the other hand, will quite simply just throw on my hiking boots, grab my sketchbook and go sit in the car waiting for him to stop flapping around.

99% of the time, I get myself into some sort of pickle – I’m too hot, I’ve fallen over or I’m not wearing a raincoat. These are my usual issues. Thankfully, Jon’s got me covered.

8 Monochromes

Like the diptychs and triptychs, I set myself another challenge with these monochrome pieces. Although, the word challenge needs to be used rather loosely here, as pencil drawing comes the most natural to me in the world of art. Sketching, doodling, mark-making, scribbling and shading seems to be an innate behaviour of mine that never seems to fade.

If you’re an avid watcher of my practice, you will be used to seeing relatively bold colour choices. So the challenge here is the vulnerability that comes with exposing my rawest and most natural level of art creation.

These delicate pieces (soon to be released for purchase) have all been fitted into bespoke natural oak frames, which subtly adds to their organic, unfinished and raw aesthetic.

The Spontaneous Drawing

Reaching The Summit

So, we’ve reached the summit of the Mountain collection.

With these five larger works on paper (15″ x 22″) your mind will wander and your eyes will work hard, darting from side to side in order to follow along with the visual adventure in front of you. When viewing these pieces, you’ll be proud of your openness towards the world of abstraction and be confident in your ability to gather your own stories from these conceptual landscapes. Alternatively, you’ll simply enjoy the view.

These works are all fitted in bespoke fresh white frames.

Behind the glass, adventure awaits.

All of the colours, textures, marks and compositions within the pieces in this collection are sourced from varying landscapes, mental and physical. Credit is given to the towering mountains of Crete, the vivid fauna of Kauai, the tiring roads and eerie shortcuts between Virginia and Tennessee, the rolling hills around The Cotswolds and the emotional rollercoaster that resides in my head.

As always, each and every piece is dedicated to my Dad (1959-2016).

The View

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16 Mountains: Matching New Miniatures To Their Collectors

April 5th, 2020 by Emma

Occasionally, I’ll have collectors tell me that they really connected with their piece before they purchased it. This left me with the idea to write some “mountainscopes” for each of the 16 new miniatures from the Mountain collection. By taking into account the colour, movement, composition and title of each painting, I wrote each of these by imagining what type of collector would suit the piece.

So, if you’re open to this, I invite you to scroll down and read each “mountainscope” to find out which mountain you match with.

N.B. By no means do you have to follow this.

Mt. Rock n Roll

You would consider yourself to be quietly confident – you know what you want and how to forge your own path. Moments of self-doubt do happen, but you don’t allow yourself to break. Whether you’re musical or not, there’s a beat, colour and rhythm in you that gives you the ability to talk to a crowd, host a party, try new things and dance in public.

View your mountain.

Mt. Timber

In an unsettling world you can always find tranquility. You seek out the calmness in the storm, and find your respite there at all times. You’re also partial to spontaneity – even if it’s pouring with rain or freezing cold outside, you’ll be found putting on your boots ready for any hike.

View your mountain.

Mt. Somewhere

You can’t bear standing still and you’re always on the move. When you’re heading to the next place, whether it be for travel or for a new job, you’re making the most of it – no matter what. You’re also a friend to nature – seeking new walks and smelling flowers as they brush past you.

View your mountain.

Mt. Plummet

Your life can be seriously stressful – quite often, you feel that multiple things crash down around you and you can’t seem to catch a break. Even so, with your copious amounts of kindness, hope and optimism, you’re always able to see the escape and ride it out. You’re strong, and you know you’ve got it.

View your mountain.

Mt. Phthalo

You’re active and adventurous. There’s some sort of fire in you that longs to travel further and for longer, but you’re also really dedicated to your home. You have an ability to remain calm in tense situations and know how to keep your cool, but inside you’re worrying a lot more than you let on.

View your mountain.

Mt. Mahalo

It’s all about family for you. Through both the good times and the challenging times, you always ensure you show gratitude for them being part of your existence. When it comes to work and travel, you’re all about strategy, order, structure and precision – everything needs to be planned and organised down to a T.

View your mountain.

Mt. Lyrical

You have some sort of creative calling, but you’re not exactly sure what it is yet and/or how to start. A part of you feels that you wish you were brave enough to commit to planning that novel, creating that painting, writing that song, learning that instrument, starting that blog.. but you don’t make this wish a priority. Your work is important to you and you’re great at saving money, so you don’t want to deviate from your current route right now – but you will, one day.

View your mountain.

Mt. Laurel

The world knows you as shy, but there’s an energetic and confident light inside you that only appears when you’re around friends and family. Being kind and courteous could be your motto. You’re also an active and adventurous person, but sometimes staying home wins.

View your mountain.

Mt. Kassiani

Without a doubt, you have an innate need to explore and travel the world. Other cultures, landscapes and cuisines fascinate you – so within your life, you will make sure to visit as many new places as you can. You accept the long journey of life with open arms – there will be ups and downs, but you’re totally up for the ride. Bring it on.

View your mountain.

Mt. Fuji

Stepping back, closing your eyes and taking a breath is your solace in stressful situations. Staying grounded and appreciating the present moment is something you work really hard on. You also make sure to soak up your surroundings, and seriously appreciate the landscape, from whatever viewpoint. There’s something spiritual in you, but you’re not quite sure what it is.

View your mountain.

Mt. Dusk Till Dawn

A sunset chaser. The sky fascinates you and you’re always pointing out the colours and shapes above you. With your artistic eye, you’re always able to see the creative possibilities in your work and home life. Despite being known for your creative flair, there is still a hint of self-doubt when making your decisions. You may often experience imposter syndrome and people tell you that you need to be more confident in yourself. (I think this one is me)

View your mountain.

Mt. Jumanji

You really enjoy the game of life, but sometimes you feel like you need to escape. Adventure is your escape, and you always run with the wolves. You hike, you bike, you run, you jump.. and you’re up for pretty much any outdoor activity. You’re independent and happy to be apart from friends and family, as long as they’re all safe and well.

View your mountain.

Mt. Focus

You have big dreams. There are life distractions in your peripheral vision, trying to tear away your concentration, but there aren’t many things that will make you take your eye off the ball. You’re committed, determined and stubborn, but in a good way. Be that as it may, if a friend or family member needs help, you’re the first to be there.

View your mountain.

Mt. Crazy

You have a creative eye and would consider yourself artistic, but you’re also scientific, analytical and really well read – so you’re a bit of an all-rounder. You have a unique ability to be very organised and disorganised at the same time, but there is method to your madness. It gives strength to your drive, and endless bounds to your creativity.

View your mountain.

Mt. Anubis

You endlessly concern yourself with the future and you’re always looking forward; things always need to be progressing for you. This sometimes leaves you feeling lost in the now and out of control. Your future will be bright – you know this – but first, you must learn how to trust the path you have laid for yourself.

View your mountain.

Mt. Almost

“So close, yet so far” is the story of your life, but this chapter doesn’t define your book. You’re ambitious, hard-working and totally committed to your work life and family life, yet you still feel like you’re not where you want to be. Sometimes you feel like life has dealt you a bad hand, but you’re well-grounded and still confident that you’ll reach the top in the future.

View your mountain.

COVID-19: How It Affects My Practice and Aspiring Collectors

March 26th, 2020 by Emma

Doesn’t it feel like we’re living in a movie right now?

With the world fighting against coronavirus, all of our concepts of ‘normal’, ‘work’ and ‘routine’ have been turned upside down and inside out, so I need to quickly go through a few things with you.

As a self-employed person, I am going to do my best to keep my work going at this strange time – well, for as long as I am able to. As far as I’m aware, I am fit and well, so the development of my practice as an artist can certainly continue – provided I don’t run out of supplies, of course. My suppliers are all still running and my shelves are pretty full of paint bottles and paper, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

If you’re a watcher of my work then you’ll be well and truly bombarded with digital content over the next few weeks. I’ve started to think about doing some Instagram live videos, as well as my usual Thursday Thinking original artworks, story updates and daily Instagram posts. In addition to this, I will be releasing brand new works from my Mountain collection in stages over the next few weeks. So, you’ve got plenty of things to engage with whilst you’re stuck indoors or needing some entertainment during your work break.

If you’re an aspiring collector or waiting for a painting you’ve recently purchased, then please refer to the heading below that’s most relevant to you:

You want to purchase an artwork

If you’re an aspiring collector wondering whether my online shop is still up and running, then you’ll be pleased to know that yes my work is still available to purchase from my website. However, please bare in mind that waiting times will be a little longer than usual.

Getting your work framed is still an option. However, my framer and I have to limit our visits, as we’re not meant to interact with others outside of our households. Nonetheless, he’s more than happy for me to continue taking orders. You will just have a slightly longer wait.

You want to reserve an artwork

If you’re hoping to collect an artwork, but you’re not in the financial position to do so due to the current crisis, then I’m happy to reserve works for you. I’m typically able to reserve piece/s for 30 days, but depending on how long this will all go on for and how long we’re all away from work, I may extend this – on a case by case basis.

So, with this in mind, please do not hesitate to drop me an email or a DM on Instagram if you would like to reserve any works.

You’re waiting for your artwork to be delivered

I understand that there are a few of you out there still waiting for your framed artworks to be delivered.. we’re no doubt already speaking to each other about this, but I must emphasise how thankful I am for your patience at this time. As you know, numerous works are still with my framer.

I will do my best to get them to you as soon as I can, but with the current rules from the government, my hands are a little tied.

I will keep you in the loop as much as I can. Thank you, again.

You’re interested in a commissioned artwork

Commissions are still going ahead. My paint, canvas and stretcher bar suppliers are still up and running, so the artwork production can continue as normal. Delivering your piece to you may become an issue in the coming weeks, but we will have to play this by ear.

If you’re interested in working with me on a commission, please get in touch.

My latest commission was Dive A Little Longer – a very special piece for a lovely couple.

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Mountain, 2020

On a brighter and more fabulous note, the first 16 original artworks from the Mountain collection have just been released and available to view/purchase here. The above information apples to this collection too.

Thank you all for being so supportive and understanding at this time.

Stay happy and healthy – don’t forget that we’re all in this together!

Life as an Artist: FAQs from Instagram

January 13th, 2020 by Emma

Here’s a round up of FAQs gathered from my audience over on Instagram:

How do you motivate yourself when you really don’t want to “do”?

Admittedly, I used to get days when all I wanted to do was hibernate and pretend that the day hadn’t started. However, nowadays, I don’t allow myself to have the time to get to those thoughts. As I’m a lot more productive in the morning, I make sure to get up early (5:30am), go to spin, lift some weights and/or have a long walk, then over breakfast I’ll open up my weekly planner and scan through my to-do list (I write a list of everything I have to do that week). So, I don’t really give myself the option to be unmotivated because I have boxes to tick.

If I’m having some brain fog, I’ll plan out the next few weeks ahead, write a blog post (and never publish it..), mix up some colours and/or read through some of my old journals to get my brain going.

Self-discipline and having a strict routine is very important when you’re self employed.

Oh, and as I mainly work from home, I also procrastinate a lot by doing housework with RuPaul’s Drag Race on in the background. Sorry not sorry.

What other job/s do you do to support your art practice?

To financially top-up my art practice, I work 2 days a week for a marketing agency as a Content Marketing Specialist. Here, my job consists of blog content generation, building relationships with publications, writing briefs for copywriters and a few other things. It’s pretty handy, as by doing this I’m also developing marketing skills for my own website/business.

Do you have any works that you could never sell?

I have many many artworks in my “home inventory”, which basically means that they are stored away in a pile and left to work on later, release later or never release. Many works just don’t make the cut – they either don’t sit right visually for me, been overworked or just don’t reflect my practice’s aesthetic. These works are quite often ripped up and used as thank you notes that get packaged up with sold artwork.

Tell us about Gibson!

Gibson (KC registered as Elwyn John) is our golden retriever, who was born in Cambridgeshire last April (2019). His name, Gibson, is a make of guitar and was chosen as a tribute to my Dad, who was a bassist and music shop owner. He was nearly called Marshall (another musical instrument brand), Monty (cute name) or Timber (his Dad’s name), but we finally imagined that a strong and adventurous dog standing at the top of a mountain would be called Gibson.

When he meets you, he will wrinkle his nose and show you all his teeth – which may seem menacing at first, but you’ll then notice that his tail is wagging round and round in circles. Believe it or not, this is actually him smiling at you. After your introduction, he will then want you to be his owner and totally ignore Jon and I for the rest of the time you’re here. When you leave, we’re given the cold shoulder for a good few hours. But it’s okay, he just wants to be everyone’s friend.

How does your commission process work?

A commissioned artwork starts with a digital document for my client to fill out. It consists of a series of questions that will cover the budget, size, orientation, surface, colour scheme, representation, framing etc. or a large blank space for my client to write an entire brief from scratch (if they wish). Then after I’ve received the document back, I will work out a quote for the time frame and cost of the commissioned piece, and ask any questions if I need some clarification. Once we’ve come to an agreement, I ask for 30% deposit and then get to work on the piece.

Throughout the process, I will keep in contact regularly and send progress shots, if the client wishes. The rest of the payment is due on completion and then the work will be ready to ship/be collected.

I’m interested in collecting a painting – how do I view available pieces and are there any framing options?

Exciting! If you head to my Art page, you can filter the works by availability. Unsold artworks will display first and sold artworks are labelled with a red dot. You can also browse through different collections by heading to the collections page.

If an artwork is eligible for framing, the details will appear in the text next to the work. All original works on paper and all small canvas works can be fitted into a bespoke wooden frame (natural oak, dark stained or plain white), handcrafted by my framer here in The Cotswolds. The cost of your frame and extra shipping will be invoiced to you separately from your online purchase.

What kinds of things do you document in your journals?

As many of you will know, my journals are my practice’s main sustenance.

After my Dad passed away, I rejected life and everything it had to offer. The world outside my front door seemed dull, pointless, unfair, monotonous, unappealing, nauseating, intimidating, you get the idea… Even when Jon and I were in Hawaii for a wedding, the sound of the ocean outside our room irritated me.

It wasn’t until I started painting again when I finally felt the need to go outside. I wanted to see some colour, hear some sounds, feel some textures and smell some fresh air to help fuel some creativity.

Ever since, I’ve developed a habit to record experiences and observations from places I go in small journals. Quite often, I will jot down overheard conversations, document colour combinations, translate sounds and movements into marks, write down whatever is on my mind, describe textures, copy landscape compositions, anything. These recordings will then evolve onto paper/canvas and help develop entire collections of artwork.

The last words written in my latest journal were “Sunday Monday thinking and rock climbing“.

Do you have one all time favourite piece of work that you’ve made so far in your career?

This question is always very hard. I have sentimental connections with the majority of my pieces, but lately, I’ve felt very attached to my latest collection, Raw Honey. You can read about it in more detail here.

Heading To A Greek Taverna (available) is a special piece and also Amari Honey Boxes, which now lives with its new collector in Australia.

I also remember the exact moment that Road To Roanoke from the Some Adventures collection evolved in my head. We stopped by a small diner for pancakes in Damascus, VA and then headed to Roanoke on Interstate 81, surrounded by mauve mountains.

Do you find it difficult to part ways with your artworks once they’ve sold?

Yes and no. I’ll always be a little emotional when I say goodbye to a work, especially if it’s heading to the other side of the globe. However, this is always overpowered by the incredible fact that a piece of work I have made with my bare hands now lives somewhere else in the world. Having a piece of me brighten up someone else’s life beats any feeling of separation anxiety.

Do you ever struggle with being an artist on Instagram?

Yes. 1000 times, yes.

I can’t knock Instagram for how incredible it has been for the development of my practice. I’ve made genuine friendships with people all around the globe and my list of worldwide collectors continues to grow thanks to the platform.

However, it’s also a very difficult place to expose my work. Not only is there a lot of copying, harassing and trolling, there is also a pressure to keep content up to date and an obsession to stay in-the-know with account analytics.

Be that as it may, I’m very disciplined with how I approach Instagram – it’s not a personal account, it’s my business and a means to show the world my work (almost like an ever-evolving online art exhibition, with progress shots too). Of course, I will show a few bits of my personal life, but I make sure to keep some things private.

Sometimes, I find it very hard to expose my raw feelings to the world, especially in regards to grief and depression. The fact that people I know are reading what I’m thinking is always embarrassing, but at the end of the day, the honest words I write are intertwined with the aesthetic of my practice.

Instagram is also a time sucker.

Did you go to university and what did you study?

Yes, I did. I’ve actually been to university 3 times.

The first time was straight after high school; a clueless dive into a Psychology degree at Oxford Brooke’s University (dropped out after 8 months).

The second time was another clueless dive into a Forensic Science degree at the University of Kent (dropped out after 7 weeks).

The third and final time was what I should have done from the beginning, a degree in Fine Art at the University of Gloucestershire (although, I wish I had gone to one of the art schools in London). I completed this one with First Class Honours.

What advice would you give to somebody who has just lost someone?

For anyone who has suffered a big loss and is in the process of grieving, I’d tell them to find a creative outlet. Whether it’s painting, dancing, writing, or whatever, keep doing it until you start to feel more in control of yourself. You basically need to ‘find yourself’ again. You need to redevelop yourself into someone that has to exist without the person you lost. Perhaps think about what they would want you to do.

The fight or flight response is by no means a myth. Believe me, your mind and body will fight as hard as it can to make you survive this new life without your loved one. You will get through it.

And I can honestly say (however tragic this may seem) that I am a stronger, braver, and more independent person than I was when my Dad was alive. It’s just a shame that I’ve had to suffer this tragedy to grow into the artist I was always destined to be – and that he will never see it.