Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Harris.
Emily, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I graduated as an Art History major from Georgia Southern. From there, I worked alongside a decorative artist for a few years before deciding to venture out on my own. I continued doing custom finishes for residential and commercial spaces using a variety of different plasters and paints, which then lent itself to creating fine art using the same techniques. The fine art aspect of my business allows for me to work on a smaller scale and also to use colors and textures that many may not want on a permanent wall in their home. It allows me to be more experimental and creative. The idea of creating backdrops soon evolved from creating the moveable fine art and I absolutely love to see what professional photographers can do with them!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were days early on (and still some now, to be honest) where I had doubts about what I was doing all together. Getting your name and your work in front of the right people is not easy. There were and still are, days where I would send email after email to different store fronts, galleries and other potential clients only to never hear back. There has never been one big ‘A-ha’ moment, but rather multiple little things happening along the way that have all led up to where I am now. I still have a long way to go, but I have certainly become more comfortable with just putting myself and my work out there!
Please tell us about Emily Harris Art.
I am an artist that creates fine art, backdrops and also decorative finishes. I use different plasters and paints on things such as walls, fireplaces, brick, etc. for a custom look in residential and commercial spaces. I took the products and techniques I use for those finishes to start creating fine art and backdrops. Old world architecture and crumbling facades seen in places like Charleston, Savannah and all over Europe are what influences almost all of my work. I love everything old and with a history. When I get the opportunity to travel, I am constantly snapping photos of deteriorating interior and exterior walls, bricks, stone, etc. I use those photos that I take to create fine art and backdrops that are reminiscent of the historic ruins. Sometimes, I try to mimic very closely what I see, other times, I will create a version of it. I also love taking current or ‘new’ brick in spaces and adding paint/plaster products to age it (like the photos I take of centuries old brick inside homes, restaurants, warehouses, etc). I like brick that seems to tell a story and that is interesting… not clean, perfect and boring! I think I have become known for the texture that I use on my work and the ability to make the new things look old and full of character.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite memories would have to be when my parents officially confirmed my weird/goofy/curious nature. It was supposed to be nap time and when my mom came in to wake me up, I was already on the ground playing with my barbies, holding a screw-driver to her head and saying “Now, this will only hurt a little bit.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilyharrisart.com
- Email: info@emilyharrisart.com
- Instagram: @emilypopeharris
- Facebook: Emily Pope Harris
Image Credit:
Austin Martin Photography, Kim Graham Photo, Anna Liesemeyer (In Honor of Design), Chelsea Dellinger, Whitney Ott
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