Emma is a British Figurative Artist now living in Southern Spain. Her work is of larger-than-life curvy women and her ongoing Beach Babe Series continues to be as ever popular as ever. Emma uses colour, texture and pattern to create bold splashy under paintings that are revealed in the finished piece, often leaving areas of the canvas raw and unfinished. Her Beach Babes are fun, large and adventurous; they own their space by filling the canvas and often are interacting with the edge of the substrate. Often pushing against the canvas that ‘contains them’. Emma plays with figure exaggeration, always painting women with huge expressive hands and feet! Through her work, Emma is an advocate for Body Confidence and Body Acceptance. There is always a sense of energy, celebration, a joy of life and a sense of humour that reflects Emma’s own personality. Emma also teaches figurative and portrait workshops in her unique style online to Art Students around the world.
Art is Magic embodies all things positive about Creativity. A supportive network where stories can be told, experiences shared and emotions laid bare. Art really has no boundaries and can mean so much to so many. Art is so necessary in my existence it is impossible to imagine a life without it.
Tell us about your journey to become an Artist?
I have always been Arty and Creative since childhood, but it all had taken a backseat in my life for many years as my life seems to go in a different direction. It was really my decision to move to Spain that changed something in my head. I certainly had an Epiphany moment! I just knew that I needed Art back in my life but I had no idea in what capacity. I remember finding a pen and ink sketch diary online, from a lady travelling around Spain and it was so inspirational.(I wish i knew her name, to thank her). Its so true about the light and all colours seem to be brighter. Everything felt fresher and more alive. I quickly found a local Art class to help me with smoothing out all my rusty technical corners. I found my love of faces and figures...and practiced...ALOT! A change in my personal circumstances meant I had to throw myself headlong into an Art Career and...the rest is history. I am so thankful and honoured to be able to do what I love, everyday.
What is currently inspiring you?
I love creating my 'Beach Babe' paintings, they are all about warmth, summertime, freedom, Body confidence and acceptance. Recently my ladies have taken to the waves, either swimming or surfing. This allows me to really explore the energy of the sea and the wonderful dynamic poses of surfers.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your creative journey?
that there is no Right or Wrong! That I really shouldn't have listened to people telling me things had to be done a certain way. Art is freedom and I found myself questioning everything I was being told or 'taught'. Find your own ways of creating, your own colours, symbolism, line, technique. Find your own way to represent your world!
