Finished work · Seattle Prize
Oct 2025 – Jan 2026
the tension between beauty and despair. A painting inspired by the romantic ballet Giselle. A reminder that sorrow is proof of love, of longing and having lived.
7 posts and 9 photos from the studio, in the order Emma made them.
Follow the making ↓The process
First post · October 31, 2025
Creating idea/mood boards for potential paintings to be actualised in the upcoming months
Stage 2 · November 20, 2025
New project. Soon to be unveiled….
Stage 3 · November 25, 2025
Behind the scenes. Creating and moving with my current muse; using natural light as a mode of inspiration
Stage 4 · December 2, 2025
Beginning stages of a painting inspired by the ballet Giselle. Here we have a paper towel role posing alongside the lovely Arianna.
Stage 5 · December 4, 2025
Progress
Stage 6 · December 22, 2025
Each painting has its own journey and process that we are invited along to participate in. Some take unexpected turns, sometimes resulting in complete wipe outs while a few seem to offer little resistance. A breeze from start to finish. For me personally the process tends to be very organic; sometimes chaotic, often changing things drastically in the middle of the painting’s development. (My lack of patience and methodology are to blame) For the sake of this composition I have changed the forward most figure three times with three different models. The last pose resulting in one that better reflects the energy of giselle; the ballet this piece takes its inspiration.
Latest · January 8, 2026
Stepping back and viewing the bigger picture this week. Working with the painting in its frame and then without; moving my way around the composition without getting caught on details. Additions and subtractions… prepping for the final layers (veils, embroidery, flowers etc..) . What is the mood being created? What symbols / objects might be added to assist in the overall theme? Thinking composition and harmony first. Narrative and character must play within those borders just as the image and world is restricted to the dimensions of the canvas.
