About Emily
My practice is rooted in everyday life- in the objects, places, images, activities, and materials that both define and facilitate our day to day experiences. I am inspired by how our personal lives integrate with every other segment: the arts, local commerce, government, recreation, and common good. I have had the opportunity and privilege to create works in this wonderful convergent space where all sectors of daily life come together.
The discourse within my work often takes place outside of traditional avenues:: through the materials and images used or by encountering them in the places where we go about our daily activities. I deconstruct business suits to make comfy rugs, shred and rearrange landmark court cases to make floral patterns, make custom molds for soaps and candy, create patterns for gift wrap and fabrics, and paint graphics with messages of inclusion, gratitude, and activism that appear on urban windows and walls. Whether in a pristine gallery or on a city side street, the concept is one of tongue in cheek critique coexisting with kindness and tolerance. I have found eliciting a smile from viewers can open hearts and minds.
My world view is informed by coming “of age” in the counterculture of the late 60’s/early 70’s when social activism, feminism, and anti-consumerism were core values. Creativity of all varieties was prized. The underlying mantra questioned everything- especially boundaries, tradition, purpose, and the source of authority.
Initially untrained but drawn to create, I eventually earned my Master of Fine Arts degree in painting- after raising my family as a single mom. In the past decade since graduating, I have come full circle- back to my roots of community and craft- bringing insight and maturity, often infused with good natured humor and a commitment to accessibility. The bulk of my work has taken place in an area traditionally ignored by the formal "Art World". It includes temporary painting on windows and walls, creating event specific props, and commissioned murals and paintings.
Contributing to my community has always been part of my life and my practice. I have served as a grant panelist for the California Arts Council and The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; on the Rohnert Park Cultural Arts Commission (final 2 years as chairperson), a year on the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury, taken part in several public art projects, volunteered with The Getty, Love House, and Santa Monica Museum (LA), Cotati Recreation Dept., various schools, nonprofits and arts organizations.
CV
Education:
2012 MFA California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
2009 BFA Sonoma State University (SSU)
Selected Exhibitions:
2023
Perceive Me, Mesa College, San Diego, CA
Text Message, Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA
2022
Perceive Me, Coastline Art Gallery, Coastline College, Newport Beach, CA
2021
Perceive Me, Studio Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
Perceive Me, Museum of Art and History, Lancaster, CA
2020
Home/Front. Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles
Perceive Me, Ronald H Silverman Fine Art Gallery, CSU Los Angeles, CA
2019
Pandora’s Box, Gallery Azul, Juried Exhibition, San Pedro, CA
2018
Feminism Now, Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA
En Feministisk Manifestation (Feminism Now), Grafiska Sällskapet, Stockholm
2017
State of the Union, Brainworks Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Powerful, Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA (solo)
Art Around Town/ Petaluma Valley Hospital, Juried Exhibition, Petaluma, CA
2016
Not Political, Petaluma Mail Depot, Petaluma, CA (solo)
Without Design or Sketch: The Story of the Room Launch LA Gallery,
Los Angeles, CA
Art Around Town/ Petaluma Valley Hospital, Juried Exhibition, Petaluma, CA
2015
Pulse of LA Juried Exhibition, LA Artcore, Los Angeles, CA
Small Works, Juried Exhibition, Graton Gallery, Graton, CA
Art Around Town/ Petaluma Valley Hospital, Juried Exhibition, Petaluma, CA
Members Show, Petaluma Art Center, Petaluma, CA
2014
Human/Nature Juried Exhibition, Fulton Crossing Gallery, Fulton, CA
Evolution/Revolution Juried Exhibition, Fulton Crossing Gallery, Fulton CA
2013
Symbols Juried Exhibition, Ohanlon Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
Selected Memberships and Affiliations
Rough Play Artist Collective (Los Angeles)
Y
erba Buena Center for the Arts
Women’s Center for the Arts (Los Angeles)
Women's Caucus for Art (Northern & Southern CA)
Petaluma Art Center
Selected Residencies, Projects & Activities
2000-current Murals, props and window painting for local businesses
2023
Panelist- Media, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
2022
Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Temecula, CA (Residency)
Panelist-Impact Grant, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
2021
Panelist-Legacy Artist Grant, California Arts Council
2020
Pianos of Petaluma, Public Art/fundraiser, Petaluma CA
2017
Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, (Residency)
2012
Three Weeks in January, Pacific Standard Time, Performance and Public
Art Festival, with Suzanne Lacy, recreation of original work
2011
Sublime Environment, Pacific Standard Time Performance and
Public Festival, Santa Monica, CA, with Judy Chicago, recreation of original work
2010
Love House Pop Up Shop, LAXART, Los Angeles, CA, with Alexandra Grant
Peanuts on Parade: Lucy Linkenheimer LLP, Santa Rosa, CA (w/ Erin Cole