About Emma

I’m Emma and welcome to my very own corner of the world and internet! Please immerse yourself in this vibrant space I’ve created - a place to pause, breathe, reflect and find your own bit of joy.

Art is a language of feeling; a way to express what exists beyond words. It connects us not just to ourselves, but to each other across time, culture and experience.

For me, painting will always be rooted in love, light and growth. My process is both meditative and expressive, a dance between surrender and intention. Every layer of colour and texture becomes a reflection of this energy - and of the pure joy that emerges when we open ourselves fully to the present. 

I am fortunate to have experienced a diverse variety of cultures having lived in Dubai, the UK and explored stunning locations all over the world. My travels have undoubtedly shaped my artistic journey, giving me a zest for exploration and driving me to make deep and meaningful connections with others.

I have learnt so much these past few years and I hope you will continue with me on this journey. If you want to see more behind the scenes, join me on Instagram.  

Thanks for your time, love and support. 

Emma x

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How did you become an artist?

I came very late to the art world, having been discouraged as a teenager by my art teacher. I've always loved being creative - whether this was drawing in my sketchbook or writing poems as a child, to creating ballads on my guitar as a teenager, I embraced any opportunity to let my imagination run free. 

My first artistic passion, singing, led me to higher education where I gained a degree in classical music. From there, I pursued my love of education and trained as a primary school teacher. Despite adoring teaching, I grew weary of the limitations and challenges of being an educator in the UK. I turned to supply teaching in the hopes of finding a school that would align with my values - spoiler alert - it doesn't exist! After teaching in over 30 schools, I sadly decided to hang up my teaching hat.

As awful as it was, I am grateful for the time and space the pandemic provided. It was during lockdown that I found alcohol ink. It was love at first sight. I was immediately captivated by the vibrant hues, soft blends and endless possibilities. To begin with, I balanced my art business with ad hoc supply roles but am extremely fortunate (mostly thanks to the world's most incredible, supportive and understanding husband!) that I am now able to dedicate all my time to my art.

What inspires you?

I seek inspiration from the world around me, drawing from personal experiences, nature, the divine beauty of the cosmos, music, literature, the interplay of light and colour - the inspiration is endless! 

Lately, I've been immersing myself in floral forms. I've always been drawn to flowers, exploring botanical gardens, National Trusts and garden centres are some of my favourite pastimes. Expressing and celebrating beautiful blooms in my own way has been incredibly healing. Each piece begins as an emotion or whisper of colour and evolves organically, layer by layer, petal by petal.

What are your favourite art supplies?

Ooo there are SO many to mention but I’ll try and be as brief as possible. Over the years as I've grown and honed my craft, I've constantly reinvested in upgrading my supplies and equipment. Just to clarify, I don’t receive any payment for mentioning brands and will always recommend and work with brands I truly love and believe in.

My favourite alcohol ink brands will always be Ranger and Kamenskaya. The undertones of Ranger will forever amaze me and the metallics from Kamenskaya are the best of the best! You can use my code ‘Harding10’ to get a fab 10% discount off a Kamenskaya order.

Safety is always a top priority when working with alcohol ink - the fumes are volatile and incredibly toxic. I never paint without my respirator with A2P3 filters. My dehumidifier is also a non-negotiable as alcohol ink is very temperamental and does not like a humid environment - my max limit is 45% humidity. My latest safety equipment investment that has been a game-changer is my air ventilation system - which also doubles as an AC unit meaning I can now ink on super hot days in summer.

I couldn’t live without my trusty airbrush and air compressor - Fengda FD-186.

I try and use as many small and local businesses as possible, especially for things like packaging, supplies and framing. I recommend creating a local network of businesses that you can support too.