Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Emmons.
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?
I’m a designer, storyteller, and artist who has spent my entire career at the intersection of art and design. My journey began at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, creating ads for local businesses. It was there I discovered the joy of shaping visual narratives. Wanting to push further, I headed west, taught myself Quark and Illustrator over a single weekend, and landed a role with a top firm — a scrappy determination that has stayed with me ever since.
I became a Senior Art Director at an annual report firm, working directly with CEOs to turn complex information into compelling visuals, and later co-founded my own agency, Function:, which thrived for more than two decades. We built a niche in building materials — turning flooring, gypsum, and ceiling systems into campaigns with emotional resonance. One of my favorite projects asked architects to consider how acoustics affect the lives of students and patients — a thoughtful and effective campaign that still stands out to me today.
From there, I co-created Crosland + Emmons, a line of sculptural ceramic lighting launched at AD Design NY, and worked closely with interior designers to craft functional pieces that were also works of art. That experience reignited my passion for fine art. Along the way, my husband and I opened several restaurants, where I built each brand and designed the spaces — including the artwork on the walls. Those canvases became the bridge to where I am now.
Today, painting is my primary focus. My work blends everything I’ve learned — typography, print, design, storytelling — and brings it to the canvas. I approach my painting career as I did my agency, building a business that serves the interior design market with original abstract works that combine mixed media, type, and narrative depth.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been fortunate in my career, but any time you start something new there are challenges. Whether it was my design agency, lighting company, or painting studio, each business demanded an enormous amount of focus beyond the creative work — sales, marketing, bookkeeping, social promotion, customer service. It can feel overwhelming at times, but I’ve learned to take it day by day, stay focused, and not let setbacks derail the bigger vision.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe art has the power to transform spaces — not just visually, but emotionally. My mission is to create work that helps people feel something in their environment. Design taught me how to solve problems with purpose, but painting allows me to explore the unknown. My goal is to merge those two worlds — structure and freedom — to create art that feels both grounded and expansive.
Each piece begins as a visual story. Layers of color, texture, and embedded objects — antique letters, stamps, tags, old photos — create tactile, dimensional canvases that act as a kind of visual archive. Negative space and typographic elements invite close inspection and personal interpretation. I want viewers to discover a new hidden area each time they engage with the work — a small moment of connection waiting to be unearthed.
I work across both large and small canvases, but what truly sets me apart is the way I weave graphic sensibilities and nostalgic fragments together. This blend of contemporary abstraction, printmaking traditions, and found ephemera creates something that feels both sculptural and intimate.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Focus on growing your audience with intention and within your existing network first. Build authentic relationships, stay in touch, and look for ways to collaborate. And most importantly, identify what makes you stand out in your niche and keep building on that. A clear point of view makes it easier for mentors, clients, and peers to see where they can support and connect with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://medesignworks.com/
- Instagram: me_abstractstudio
Image Credits
Michele Emmons
