Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Haygood.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My artistic journey began years ago as a middle schooler, but not where you’d expect. It started in the kitchen, and instead of blending paints, I was blending flavors and textures. I owned a bakery in my early 30s where I began to create edible art. I still love cooking and creating recipes! While I grew up watching my talented sweet mom paint and draw, I didn’t start painting until my 40s. I had been feeling the tug to paint the beautiful things I saw in nature, but fear of failure kept me from trying for quite a while. I finally decided to jump in and signed up for a local art class with Christy Hayes at the Art Station in Marietta. This gave me the little bit of confidence I needed to just begin. I painted for about three years before deciding I’d like to put my art out into the world. The first public display of my art was with the Marietta Arts Council’s M2R Fence Gallery. I currently have three pieces in this traveling outdoor gallery. I then entered an open call at North Park Gallery on Marietta Square for emerging artists and had my art appear in a gallery opening for the first time in June of 2021.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been fun and rewarding but definitely has had its challenges! I think the biggest one for me has been trying to wear all the hats in the business. No one can be great at everything! Learning how and who to reach out to for help in the areas that are not my strengths has been an important part of the learning curve. As an artist, an additional challenge for me has been getting the balance right between creating the way I want to create (slow, thoughtful, and inspired) and producing enough for sale. Ultimately, the answer for me has been something closer to how I naturally create.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
You know those things that just take your breath away when you see them – a sunset filled with amazing colors, the roaring ocean, a tiny butterfly’s wings, intricate flower petals – those things that don’t seem to have words to adequately describe them – the things that make you feel God’s presence because only He could create such things. Those are the things that inspire me to pick up a paintbrush. I want to recreate the feeling of that breathtaking moment. I create to reflect the Creator. I am known for my vibrant big-sky sunsets, but I find inspiration just about anywhere in nature from beautiful sweeping vistas to tiny creatures.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have so many wonderful childhood memories – it is hard to pick one. My parents emphasized experiences over things, and my childhood reflected this. One that particularly stands out is walking on a beach in late afternoon with my parents and sister. As we were walking, a naturalist group that focused on sea turtles walked up with buckets full of newly hatched baby sea turtles ready for release. I’ll never forget that scene of what seemed like thousands of tiny turtles flipping and flopping their way to the sea.
Contact Info:
- Email: emilyhaygoodfineart@gmail.com
- Website: www.emilyhaygoodfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhaygoodfineart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyhaygoodfineart
