We just had a major art crush moment with oil painter Emily Furr. Her designs? Total showstoppers.
Her scroll-stopping designs that had us gasping, “Who’s she?” If your vibe is all about non-traditional art that slaps some personality onto your walls, then Emily's creations are your new obsession. Get ready to have your home dripping in color and attitude because this girl’s work is straight-up iconic.
KEEP SCROLLING FOR 10 Minutes with Oil Painter and Creator Emily Furr
CHATWORTHY: Who is Emily as an artist and what type of art does she create?
EMILY FURR: "As an oil painter, I delight in pushing the boundaries of traditional canvas by crafting unique substrates from polystyrene insulation board and wood. Recently, I've been experimenting with striped wooden shadow-box frames that add an extra layer of depth to my shaped paintings.
My art is a personal reflection of my inner world, exploring the intricacies of my relationships with myself and others. With a sentimental heart, I find inspiration in fleeting moments and quiet contemplations, capturing the essence of my emotional journey on canvas."
CHATWORTHY: How do you balance being an artist, social media marketing, selling your art, and everything else that comes with it?
EMILY FURR: "Navigating the multifaceted demands of being a full-time artist – from creating art to managing social media and marketing, to selling my work – is a constant balancing act.
As I approach my one-year milestone as a professional artist, I'm still refining my rhythm. I've struggled with a lingering sense of guilt, feeling that I'm not truly 'working' unless I'm physically painting in the studio.
This self-imposed pressure stems from a misguided notion that only studio time constitutes 'real' work. However, I'm coming to realize that the behind-the-scenes tasks – responding to emails, editing photos, crafting social media content – are equally essential to my success.
Something that has helped alleviate some of this pressure is my recent partnership with two galleries I signed with this year. (The Miller Gallery in Charleston, SC, and Spoonbill Gallery in Greenville, SC) By entrusting them with some of the marketing aspect, I can focus more intently on my art."
CHATWORTHY: When I admire your designs I think of the sound that says "buy the weird stuff, buy the stuff that makes people go, "what is that?", buy the stuff that makes your home the best estate sale when you die." Where does your inspiration come from?
EMILY FURR: "My inspiration comes from everywhere all the time!
For example, pink is a very comfortable and cozy color for me and I use it a lot. I grew up in a little pink house on rural Johns Island, South Carolina.
My parents own a small architecture firm that is also pink and right next to the house I grew up in. I think the color feels like home and is quite grounding to me and just shows up in so many of my paintings.
The many critters in my paintings are things I’ve seen growing up. I love looking at vintage advertising too! The designs and iconography is just so dang cool. I think that’s another reason why I love to use text in my pieces.
Before I went full time as an artist I worked at an art store here in Charleston and I learned so much about different processes and materials which was such an amazing source of knowledge that would always get me excited to create."
CHATWORTHY: I watched a video where your designs are made from foam but they literally look like wood. How many iterations or versions did you explore until you felt happy with the finished product you have now?
EMILY FURR: "I feel like I am alwayssss making new iterations of what I do. I think that’s just how I grow as an artist: not just settling into a routine of how to make art.
My first iteration of my shaped paintings was a bit silly in the process and is just a great example of making something that is not -the thing- but is a thing that took me in a new direction.
My first shaped paintings were cut out of foam using a steak knife and were soooo choppy and took so much time. I now use a router and it is a game changer. I also painted on paper, cut that out and then glued it to the foam.
It was a wild mess and the paper would peel up. I don’t know why my brain didn’t immediately just realize I could prime and paint right on the foam. But experimenting and messing up and messing up again is the best way to move my practice as an artist forward. I think leaving room for trying new things is so important even if that means making some duds.
CHATWORTHY: What's your secret to getting people to purchase your art?
EMILY FURR: "I don’t think I really have a secret, or know -the secret-. Some things sell and some don’t. Every time someone buys a painting I just get so giddy and surprised. It is a magical moment when someone values a thing that you put your whole heart into."
CHATWORTHY: If your paintings could hang out with any influencer/creator squad, who would they be vibing with? And why?
EMILY FURR: "Oh gosh hahaha. I am not even sure. I feel like that’s a question I want to ask you! Who do you see my paintings hanging out with?"
CHATWORTHY: Hands down it has to be artist and Jewelry designer, Maggie Villamaria.
CHATWORTHY: How do you combat creative blocks?
EMILY FURR: "I think just living always gets me out of my funk. Creating art, for me, comes from emotions and hard times and good times and I feel like you can’t just make art in a bubble.
A few days or day-off doing something new is always a good way to combat creative block. I mentioned messing up earlier and I think trying a new medium or drawing something you don’t normally draw always helps me loosen up too."
CHATWORTHY: If your 3D paintings were cast in a Netflix original series, what genre would it be?
EMILY FURR: "Are we talking high school drama, rom-com, or a spooky thriller?
I tend to put an optimistic spin on my paintings. I do this with paintings even made about times when I have felt my lowest. I do use humor in my paintings as well; I am a goofy person in general.
Maybe my paintings are rom-coms?? Dealing with love, loss, self discovery and so much more but all within an approachable context that is a little silly and hoping for the best."
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