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In this month's Artist Spotlight, we're thrilled to feature Emma Roberts, whose vibrant mixed-media works have been capturing attention in galleries across Europe and North America. Known for her distinctive approach that blends traditional painting techniques with digital elements and found objects, Emma's art explores themes of memory, identity, and environmental consciousness.

We sat down with Emma in her London studio to discuss her artistic journey, creative process, and the philosophy that drives her innovative work.

The Journey to Finding Her Voice

Unlike many artists who show early promise in childhood, Emma's path to becoming an artist was unexpected. "I actually studied environmental science initially," she explains, surrounded by canvases in various stages of completion. "I was working in conservation for about five years before I even picked up a paintbrush seriously."

This background in environmental science continues to inform her work, particularly in her choice of materials. "I'm very conscious about sustainability in my practice. I use a lot of reclaimed materials, water-based paints, and I've developed techniques that minimize waste."

The turning point in Emma's career came after a sabbatical during which she traveled through Southeast Asia. "Something about the visual language I encountered there—the colors, textures, the way different cultures approach visual storytelling—it completely changed how I saw the world. When I returned, I couldn't stop creating."

A Unique Creative Process

What sets Emma's work apart is her multilayered approach that combines traditional painting with digital manipulation and physical collage elements. She describes her process as "conversational" rather than linear.

"I usually begin digitally, creating compositions and color studies on my tablet," she explains while showing us preliminary sketches for her newest series. "Then I'll print elements at different scales, start applying paint, introduce found objects, scan sections back in, manipulate them further digitally, and reintroduce them to the physical piece."

This back-and-forth between digital and physical creates a distinctive visual language that feels both contemporary and timeless. "I'm interested in the tension between the handmade and the digital, between accident and intention. That's where the most interesting things happen in my work."

One of her signature techniques involves embedding digital photographs beneath layers of translucent paint, creating ghostly images that seem to emerge and recede depending on the viewing angle and lighting. "I'm playing with memory—how it's both present and absent, clear and foggy at the same time."

Inspiration and Influences

When asked about her influences, Emma cites an eclectic mix of sources. "I'm drawn to artists who work across boundaries—Robert Rauschenberg's combines, Wangechi Mutu's collages, Julie Mehretu's complex abstractions. But I'm equally influenced by scientific imagery, particularly microscopic photography and geological formations."

Nature remains her primary source of inspiration. "There's an organizational logic in natural systems that I find endlessly fascinating—the way patterns repeat at different scales, how complex systems emerge from simple rules. I'm trying to capture some of that emergent complexity in my work."

Emma also acknowledges the influence of her travels. "Different landscapes leave different imprints. The saturated colors in my recent work definitely echo my time in Vietnam and Cambodia, while the textural elements often recall landscapes from my childhood in coastal Wales."

Navigating Challenges

Emma's rise in the art world hasn't been without obstacles. As a self-taught artist transitioning from another field, she initially struggled to be taken seriously. "There's still sometimes this notion that you need formal training to be legitimate. I've had to work twice as hard to prove myself."

She also speaks candidly about the financial realities of being an emerging artist. "The first few years were incredibly difficult financially. I was working full-time while developing my practice at night. There's this romantic notion of the struggling artist, but the reality is that it's exhausting and unsustainable long-term."

A breakthrough came when she was selected for a prestigious residency program that provided both studio space and mentorship. "That was transformative—having dedicated time, space, and guidance from established artists who believed in my potential."

Current Projects and Future Directions

Emma is currently preparing for her largest solo exhibition to date, opening next month at the Haywood Gallery. Titled "Fragmented Ecologies," the show represents an ambitious expansion of her practice.

"I'm introducing a sculptural element that I haven't explored before," she says, gesturing toward several three-dimensional pieces in progress. "The work is becoming more immersive, moving beyond the wall into the viewer's space."

She's also exploring new collaborative possibilities. "I've been working with an environmental scientist on a project that visualizes climate data in new ways. It feels like coming full circle—bringing my background in environmental science back into conversation with my art practice."

Looking further ahead, Emma hopes to expand her practice to include more public and community-engaged work. "I'm interested in how art can function outside traditional gallery spaces, how it can engage with environmental advocacy in more direct ways."

Advice for Emerging Artists

As our conversation draws to a close, we ask Emma what advice she would offer to artists at the beginning of their careers.

"Trust your own unique path," she says without hesitation. "There's no single correct way to become an artist or to build a sustainable practice. What worked for someone else might not work for you."

She emphasizes the importance of community. "Find your people—other artists who understand what you're trying to do and can provide honest feedback. Art-making can be solitary, but navigating the art world shouldn't be."

Finally, she advocates for resilience and adaptability. "Be prepared to evolve. Some of my most significant breakthroughs came when I was willing to let go of approaches that weren't working anymore. Your relationship with your practice will change over time, and that's not only okay—it's necessary."

Experience Emma's Work

Emma Roberts' exhibition "Fragmented Ecologies" opens June 15th at the Haywood Gallery in London and runs through August 30th. For those unable to visit in person, a virtual tour will be available through the gallery's website.

You can follow Emma's work and process on Instagram @emmarobertsart or through her website at emmarobertsart.com.