I’m Emily.

The creative arts are a constant thread in my life.

At an early age, art and dance comforted me when I looked for alternative solutions to ease symptoms from multiple autoimmune diseases. I received degrees in Art Education and Dance Kinesthesiology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania to pursue a career in sharing the healing power of art and movement with others.

I later attended Moore College of Art and Design to seek a master’s degree that explored connections between art and those facing trauma, healing, recovery, and transformation. I found that creating an artistic gathering space, a communal outlet for self-discovery, can restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.

I enrolled at Neumann University to embark on a second master’s degree, focusing on how the arts can enhance social and emotional learning skills that are critical to human development and well-being. The creative arts are a welcome comfort when negative influences of illness, loss, or life’s changes encompass life. My studies, both professionally and personally, found that oftentimes, healing can be accomplished without a cure.

I live in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania where I primarily work in watercolor and pastel illustrating hands that navigate vulnerability and strength. My art narrates a deep connection to nature and relationships while navigating life with chronic pain. My work serves as a reminder that we carry hardships that others can’t see. While we can’t always choose the burden, we can choose how to carry it.

When not in the studio, I teach high school art classes and spend time supporting local farmers, cooking nutrient-dense culinary dishes, and practicing hot yoga.