Engaging with and questioning her conservative upbringing in Greensboro, NC, Emily explores the cultural archetypes that have shaped her perception of relationships, gender roles, and sexuality through her surreal tableaus. Her complex compositions depict characters that seek connection and a sense of belonging as they navigate shifting landscapes. Emily’s aesthetic draws from her experience studying studio art at the University of Virginia and in France, as well as her career in digital design and advertising. She has exhibited her artwork internationally and is active in and inspired by the Washington D.C. arts community where she currently resides. She is a MFA candidate at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore MD.

Emily says, “My artistic influences range from classical painters to Surrealists and contemporary artists. I’m combining and reinterpreting visuals I’ve seen for a result that is both my own and feels like a continuation of a larger story. Creating art brings me a sense of purpose and connection.”