We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I used to think of a work/life balance being balancing my “work” load with the priorities I have of being a wife and stay at home mom. Throughout 2020, having no separation between the two, I realized that the two are intertwined at their core. I cannot separate them and they are essential to one another. My art is an extension of who I am as a wife, mother, and human. I bring my life into my work, and I bring my work into my life. I include the kids (my youngest is literally a collaborator in my most recent collection) in my painting time and I run the business side with them in tow. I run ideas past my husband and grow from his creative perspective. I love inviting them into what I do. I hope that by bringing them into my process, they’re challenged creatively and practically.Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is largely driven by mental illness. I’ve battled depression since I was seventeen. After attempted suicide and a long road to recovery, my art has become like therapy. I value authenticity with my audience above most things. My art is raw and honest and straight from my heart. I want every bit of what I do to let others know they’re not alone and there is hope. After a 10 year career as a hairdresser, I finally got brave enough to share my art with the world and pursue making a living out of it. Life as a creative is a constant up and down requiring an energy that ebbs and flows. I feel like I’ve finally learned how to run hard when I’m inspired and save my copious ideas for when I’m drained.If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m basically coffee all day and beer all night. I’m low maintenance and not a lot of fancy. Whenever friends visit I make sure they get a full Varsity experience with hot dogs and onion rings. We walk the Beltline and checkout Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. I’m from North of Atlanta, so the Marietta square is also a favorite place to be. I like to be anywhere we can do ALL the walking and none of the car traffic. I like to check out small coffee shops and craft breweries. Halfway Crooks is a favorite brewery with their “grandma chic” style.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Besides Jesus Christ my family and friends, I have an incredible artist peer group at Collective 33 who challenges me, directs me, and encourages me daily.

Website: www.emilyanneartstudio.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilyanneartstudio

Other: https://etsy.me/3gqag0p

Image Credits
Katie Sutter

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