”Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” This piece was heavily inspired by one of my all time favourite artists, Charmain Olivia. If you haven’t seen her awe inspiring work, you really need to.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” For more of my work, visit my website
It’s not until very recently I’ve found the art I want to keep creating. My path as a self taught artist hasn’t been easy, and at times I’ve berated myself, criticized everything about my work and almost given up. I didn’t have a defined voice or ‘brand’ even though I was desperately trying to find it. The moment I stopped frantically asking myself ‘what defines me as an artist’ and just painted straight from my heart I found the answer. If you’re struggling with the same thing, stop judging yourself! Let it happen naturally ❤🌈 It’s a journey.
Being an artist is a messy business, full of joy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Art is a journey. A process, an experiment, an expectation of what the next piece will be. It’s full of emotion, self criticism, doubt, hope, joy, apathy, frustration, bliss, shame and pride. Next time you look at a piece of work by an artist, know that you are not just viewing brush marks on a canvas, but fear of failure, judgement, bravery, a labour of love and an undying drive to never stop fighting to do what you love.
Sometimes when you need inspiration or a muse, it can be tricky to find. But recently I stumbled across a beautiful online magazine that is literally BURSTING with inspiration – Whim magazine. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have an interview about my art and process published to this wonderful site. If you are looking for a whimsical and dreamy inspiration hit, then look no further! Oh and if you want to learn about my everyday shenanigans as an artist have a read of my interview with them 😀 http://www.whimmagazine.com/2016/07/interview-artist-emily-heard/
So I haven’t been able to paint much lately. I’m a huge animal lover, and just lost one of my guinea pigs to genetic kidney disease. It was heart breaking to me. Why am I telling you this? Well because it caused serious ‘artists block’. I’m sure LOADS of people have experienced this sticky, blurry, head fuzz that decides to sit in your brain from time to time. For me it comes along when I feel sad. I don’t think there’s a cure, I think you just have to harness the bad and turn it into good. So I’m working on a whole new collection of paintings based on the unique little characters of animals, and the happiness they can bring us. Bit different to my previous landscapes, but art is a journey…as are the stories from our lives that enrich our work 👌 This collection will be for you, Jelly Bean.
I’ve recently decided to start tackling portrait work, as my love of art started with trying to draw people. The only problem I find with learning how to paint portraits is that you can leave yourself a little vulnerable as an artist. People are more likely to spot flaws and when the proportions aren’t quite right. I know I make all of these mistakes when my paintings first start out, but I like to share these early stages anyway. It’s part of my learning process and helps me try harder. Sometimes you can get so close to your work that you fail to spot the mistakes. Until you take a photo and suddenly it’s so obvious! #awkward My point is, art is a journey, a process and a challenge. It’s all one great big work in progress – whether you’ve signed and varnished it or not. ☺ It’s part of why I love it.
A vibrant and bustling Parallax Art Fair at Chelsea Town Hall, London this weekend. Packed with an array of interesting work and artists, it’s definitely worth a visit! I’ve hung my original painting ‘Enchanted Tree’ amongst the collection of work and I am very pleased to be a part of this exciting event. Head to the Parallax Art Fair website if you are in London tomorrow (14th Feb) and are looking for a fab afternoon out ☺
Emily Louise Heard 