About the Arty One

Dolphins, rabbits and Horses often were seen scrawled across school folders and books, something that seemed to secure "the arty one" permanently after her name, though eventually she moved to carrying sketch pads and filled those instead when the chance arose. If out and about there happened to be a scenic bridge, horses in a field, or birds at a reserve, these would be drawn too. She remembers watching her Father drawing from two books, the infamous trees and animal characters in pen that captivated her attention from being old enough to hold a pencil. The two now tatty books still sit on the lounge bookcase as an occasional reminder of how she's progressed from the deer-horse-cow-something like animals scribbled as a child to the more detailed and clear horse portraits of today.

Over the years, with influences from books and talented friends, she turned her hand to using other mediums such as charcoal, pastel, acrylic, oil, watercolour, pen, Indian ink, and experimented with Japanese art and still life for a number of years. Her best attempt at a watercolour landscape now hangs in a Martin House Hospice office in Yorkshire. Although enjoying most of the different techniques and mediums, she found herself returning to graphite drawn equestrian life each time, feeling the most comfortable with pencils. Black & white portraits are known for often conveying emotions, time and mood to a higher and more sensitive level than colour portraits, making them very suitable for tribute portraits which she is commissioned for regularly. Owning horses herself, she knows what she would want to see in commissioned artwork of any loved equine friend, most importantly likeness to the individual horse.

Her artwork's detail and accuracy has caught the eye of judges at local craft and art shows & Festivals she has taken part in over the years, many noting her ability for great detail at a young age. One of her best successes as a junior artist was Overall Junior Best of Show at CCF, with her entry for the B&W drawing class.

From school desks she now works in her own studio where she produces commissions and original artworks of horses, ponies and donkeys. She has had artwork featured with the Society of Equestrian Artists, and is a member of the International Equestrian Artists. Though rarely entering competitions in current years, she's proud to have been awarded the Margaret Reynolds Award at Cawood Craft Festival 2011 entered by professionals & amateurs & was a Finalist in the HED Awards; Art, Sports & Recreation section.

She's had her artwork & bio published in a small selection of books, including "Horse Sayings" by Brad W and in May 2012, the latest book "Communicating with Animals" by world leading animal & equine healer Margrit Coates. Both of which are available in any bookshop & available for signing.

In 2013, The ESMA's founder Liam Killen requested an "Equine Features in Art" Masterclass specifically for the Equestrian Creative Network. It has been a rewarding experience working with Liam and currently it covers topics such as Motion, Eyes and Tack.

Emily's tools of the trade include an ancient set of pencils her Grandmother gave her as a young child. Though worn down and chewed by various parrots, they remind her of their last conversation about art and horses, and that she'd love her Grandmother to be able to see her work now it's improved.