Emma’s Journey

‘Going Against the Grain’

Even as a child, Emma could always paint, draw and create. She says herself “ For sure it’s an inherited talent, passed on in the genes, from both my parents. I never had to learn how to do it, I just could, no matter what the medium.” And a good job too, as Emma left education in 1986 when she was just sixteen years old, showing a strong dislike to the parameters of schooling. Need we say more!

A career followed, and with lots of graft, Emma worked her way up the ladder to become the National Visual Merchandising Manager for a retail group, a career covering 23 years. Then, in 2009, Emma took redundancy, ‘The best thing I ever did!’ You will hear her say all the time. Although Emma never turned her back on this completely, as she still designs and runs training modules for selected retail companies. Design is in her blood!

Emma’s father and grandfather were skilled cabinet makers/designers and French polishers, so wood was an obvious medium to incorporate with her painting skills. Her love for walking the outdoors and being in the wild elements, soon drew her towards foraging for wood that had been naturally carved by Mother Nature, all along the Somerset and Exmoor coastline and deep in to the ancient woods.

Building extensive knowledge of her surroundings, Emma now also holds numerous seminars and can adapt the subject focus, depending on her audience.

Now, over 10 years on as an artist, Emma has a stunning studio nestled in the heart of the Quantocks, in Somerset, not far from where she was born. With easy access, over the hills, to the Bristol Channel, she is often spotted foraging for wood and treasure! Her art is ‘breathtaking’ and every piece has a mesmerising, magical sense of being ‘at one’ with nature. As free as the spirits!

In Emma’s words ‘If you have a burning passion inside you, go with it — give it 100% of you, and know that you did it your way’.