Jeff: Hi Emma…
Emma: Hi Jeff…
Jeff: So tell me, at what point in your life did you realize art spoke to you?
Emma: Art has really always been a part of my life. I’ve been surrounded by creative people so it’s really hard to pick one point in my life where art became important to me.
T-Shirt design contest, created by Emma Sears at age 6, 1st Prize Winner
When I was nine years-old, I visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. On the lower level was a room dedicated to student works on display from schools around the city. I must have walked through that room at least a dozen times. I think this was the first time that art became personal to me, and that becoming an artist became a possibility in my mind. This experience inspired me to see if I could create something worthy of being displayed. Before, I had never given much consideration to what my art actually looked like to someone other than myself.
Jeff: How has your relationship with art grown from your earliest passion?
Emma: I’ve always been creative, growing up in an environment where creativity was encouraged. All I ever did when I was younger was draw, paint, and build stuff. I also learned how to knit when I was pretty young, constantly making scarves and hats. When I was 9-years-old, my Nana bought me a week-long art camp at the Visual Arts Center. I took a “Junk Sculpture” class, where we literally wandered around Richmond and dug through trash, went back to the studio, and made sculptures from what we’d collected. Through that experience, I also became aware of the separation between Craft and Art.
Jeff: How has your relationship with art grown from your earliest passion?
Emma: I’ve always been creative, growing up in an environment where creativity was encouraged. All I ever did when I was younger was draw, paint, and build stuff. I also learned how to knit when I was pretty young, constantly making scarves and hats. When I was 9-years-old, my Nana bought me a week-long art camp at the Visual Arts Center. I took a “Junk Sculpture” class, where we literally wandered around Richmond and dug through trash, went back to the studio, and made sculptures from what we’d collected. Through that experience, I also became aware of the separation between Craft and Art.
Woven Fabric Scraps Tapestry, created by Emma Sears at age 9
Jeff: When was the first time you sensed that art could be your life’s calling?
Emma: Frankly, I never thought about art as a career! It has always just been a part of my life. In eighth grade, I applied to the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for entrance into their Visual Arts Program. I assembled a portfolio, set up an interview, and hoped for the best. A few months later, I received an acceptance letter! It was only when I started high school that it occurred to me that I could be an artist. I took my first formal art classes at ARGS, and I grew so much as an artist during my freshman year. I'm now completing my senior year there.
Emma: Frankly, I never thought about art as a career! It has always just been a part of my life. In eighth grade, I applied to the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for entrance into their Visual Arts Program. I assembled a portfolio, set up an interview, and hoped for the best. A few months later, I received an acceptance letter! It was only when I started high school that it occurred to me that I could be an artist. I took my first formal art classes at ARGS, and I grew so much as an artist during my freshman year. I'm now completing my senior year there.
Gown designed and made from newspaper by Emma Sears for the 2016 ARGW Annual Spring Fashion Show. Model: Sophie Svoboda
Jeff: How have your teachers influenced you along the way?
Emma: They’ve taught me in such a way that I now know how to teach myself.
Freshman year charcoal reduction self-portrait by Emma Sears
The most valuable lessons I’ve learned at school are how to approach a project, and how to decide the most effective way to translate an idea into something physical.
“The Dreamer,” graphite 1920’s portrait, Sophomore year by Emma Sears
Of course, my teachers have also helped me develop technically. By going to a school that specializes in art, I have gathered an understanding of how the art world works. I’ve had pieces displayed in public shows; entered in contests; met artists with their own businesses; spoken with artists doing commissioned works; gallery curators; and, of course, other students.
Graphite drawing, Junior year, by Emma Sears
Jeff: Do you foresee art as a possible lifelong career, Emma?
Emma: I can’t see my life without art! So I think that even if I don’t pursue art directly, it will always be incorporated into whatever I do. I make connections through art.
Jeff: Why do you create art, then?
Emma: That’s how I navigate the world! I love photography and often use my pictures as inspiration for other projects.
Jeff: What do you consider your most successful piece of art?
Emma: I think my most successful piece is actually the one I’m currently working on. I’m making several wreath-like ceramic pieces inspired by nature. I’m trying to isolate different aspects of the environment and bring them together to show the relationship between the working parts of an ecosystem. For instance, I started my ceramic series with my photo “Shining Through” as an influence.
Emma: I can’t see my life without art! So I think that even if I don’t pursue art directly, it will always be incorporated into whatever I do. I make connections through art.
Jeff: Why do you create art, then?
Emma: That’s how I navigate the world! I love photography and often use my pictures as inspiration for other projects.
Jeff: What do you consider your most successful piece of art?
Emma: I think my most successful piece is actually the one I’m currently working on. I’m making several wreath-like ceramic pieces inspired by nature. I’m trying to isolate different aspects of the environment and bring them together to show the relationship between the working parts of an ecosystem. For instance, I started my ceramic series with my photo “Shining Through” as an influence.
Photo "Shining Through" the Florida Everglades by Emma Sears
Jeff: Have you had any disappointments in your artistic journey?
Emma: Of course! My major weakness is undoubtedly my lack of skill in time management! It’s rare that good things come out of being rushed. I’ve learned the hard way that when time runs out, things often don’t go as planned.
Jeff: Is it important to you that your work is seen and displayed?
Emma: Art is a lot more personal to me than creating something solely with an audience in mind. However, I do think crucial parts of the creative process involve experiencing an audience reaction and receiving personal criticism. Of course, a little praise doesn’t hurt, either!
Emma: Of course! My major weakness is undoubtedly my lack of skill in time management! It’s rare that good things come out of being rushed. I’ve learned the hard way that when time runs out, things often don’t go as planned.
Jeff: Is it important to you that your work is seen and displayed?
Emma: Art is a lot more personal to me than creating something solely with an audience in mind. However, I do think crucial parts of the creative process involve experiencing an audience reaction and receiving personal criticism. Of course, a little praise doesn’t hurt, either!
“Deconstruction,” an original sculpture made of plaster, string, wood, sea shells, grass, and plastic bags by Emma Sears.
Represents the industrialization of the natural world.
Represents the industrialization of the natural world.
Jeff: Tell me about your most recent art learning experience?
Emma: Last summer I traveled to Savannah, Georgia for five weeks as part of the Savannah College of Art and Design’s “Rising Star Summer Program.” I experienced firsthand how beneficial going to art school would be for me, and gained a deeper insight into the professional art community.
Emma: Last summer I traveled to Savannah, Georgia for five weeks as part of the Savannah College of Art and Design’s “Rising Star Summer Program.” I experienced firsthand how beneficial going to art school would be for me, and gained a deeper insight into the professional art community.
Photo: SCAD Internet
Jeff: How important is money in this process?
Emma: I don’t think money should play as big a role as it does in an artist’s life.
Emma: I don’t think money should play as big a role as it does in an artist’s life.
Ceramic Lighthouse Sculpture with underlying glaze by Emma Sears,
inspired by the Old Tybee Lighthouse in SC and the Ocracoke Lighthouse in NC
inspired by the Old Tybee Lighthouse in SC and the Ocracoke Lighthouse in NC
Jeff: So, what’s the next step in your life journey, Emma?
Emma: I've just been accepted to my first choice for college! So I guess you could say the next step in my life journey begins six months from now. I know I’ll get the most out of going to a university school of art and growing as an artist before I really figure out what I want to do career wise. But I do know that wherever I end up, I will be successful only if I’m Living The Artful Life!
Jeff: Thanks for sharing your story, Emma.
Emma: My pleasure. Thanks for asking!
Emma: I've just been accepted to my first choice for college! So I guess you could say the next step in my life journey begins six months from now. I know I’ll get the most out of going to a university school of art and growing as an artist before I really figure out what I want to do career wise. But I do know that wherever I end up, I will be successful only if I’m Living The Artful Life!
Jeff: Thanks for sharing your story, Emma.
Emma: My pleasure. Thanks for asking!
© Jeff Resnick 2018
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved