How did you get into making art?
Making art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I remember drawing and painting at the beach with my grandmother (who was an art teacher), and my parents setting me up with paints on the kitchen floor or the front porch. I have always been encouraged to create, and from there it was always my favorite subject in school. My high school art teacher saw my potential and gave me the confidence to apply to art school, and eventually I went on to study fine arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
What are you currently working on?
I have been developing this body of work since my senior thesis at MICA. I am interested in creating paintings that are simple, minimalist visual metaphors for complicated ideas about human relationships – feelings and experiences translated into pared down shape and color. I’ve been reflecting and exploring what a family dynamic, a romantic relationship, a friendship, a sibling, or the relationship with one’s self looks like at all phases.
I am interested in creating paintings that are simple, minimalist visual metaphors for complicated ideas about human relationships – feelings and experiences translated into pared down shape and color.
Emma Childs
What inspired you to get started on this body of work?
The idea of painting something that you can’t see or really describe intrigues me. I am painting about my own experiences or observations, but these are things that we all experience. Having this idea was the first time making work really made sense to me. There is something about making an object that is so simple at first glance but charged with thought and experience and precision and intuition is so exciting to me.
Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?
I take a broad approach to my practice. I don’t see my work as broken up into any sort of “series” or categories. The work organically evolves and feels like it is all just part of the same thing.
What’s a typical day like in your studio?
My studio is just a couple blocks away from my house, which is perfect for me because I like to pop in and out and work in bursts. I will go in for a couple hours and paint, then leave for a few. I will walk my dog, answer emails, run errands, or see friends and then go back with fresh eyes. Every day is different.
Who are your favorite artists?
Ad Reinhardt, Frank Stella, Agnes Martin, Ellsworth Kelly, Amy Sherald, Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Yayoi Kusama, Kehinde Wiley are first to come to mind in no particular order.
Where do you go to discover new artists?
Where do you go to discover new artists?
Instagram is definitely where I am always finding new (or new to me) artists. It has been such a key tool, even before the pandemic, with getting my own work out there. It’s pretty amazing how it can connect people, but nothing compares to seeing work in person.
Emma Childs is an artist based in Baltimore who was recently shortlisted for The Hopper Prize. To learn more about the artist:
