Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Graham.
Emily, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I have a creative family. Growing up, my mother was always sewing, painting, crocheting, crafting… the list is endless. My father was a writer, he wrote plays and even acted in a few. My siblings, all six of them, created in their own way whether it was wood burning, photography, ceramics, graphic design, dancing..they really did it all.
Drawing and painting have always been my way of creating. However, it wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I really dove in deep as an artist. I continued on to college to take studio art classes, learn and grow. It was around this time that my mother asked me to paint a few wildlife animals on her kitchen stools and this is where I found my niche (and love) for painting animals. I’ve been painting pet portraits ever since!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I paint and sketch animals! Many of my paintings are done in acrylic on canvas and wooden pallets.
I love animals, especially dogs. I know there are many others with this same love and I couldn’t think of a better way to share my art.
A lot of my work is focused on the connection someone has or had with their pet. It’s very personal to the person. For this reason, I strive to capture the animal’s personality through facial expressions and bold colors. I want the portrait to bring the same energy and feeling that the animal brings or brought to their life.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
It’s easy for money to take precedence and cause mental roadblocks as an artist. I think it’s crucial to take the steps to be financially prepared whether it’s focusing on paying off debt or taking a part-time job until you’re ready to jump in as an artist full-time.
Staying focused on your creations is the most important part of being an artist and that sometimes comes with a few sacrifices and some patience. Being prepared, staying organized and knowing how much money I need to live a comfortable life has helped me a lot with financial stresses.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can follow my work on Instagram @emilyirene_art.
I am coordinating a few shows and a website in the near future, details will be released on my Instagram page.
I like to leave my business cards at my favorite spots in the North Park area, keep an eye out for those!
Inquire at emilyirenegraham@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: North Park, CA
- Email: emilyirenegraham@gmail.com
- Instagram: @emilyirene_art
Image Credit:
Emily Graham
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