insideKENT Magazine Issue 99 - June / July 2020 | Page 9

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE:
EMILY SHERRIN
If you had to define your art, how would you
describe what you do?
My main aspiration as a growing artist has always
been to create art that is enjoyable for the viewer
and myself. As a current Illustration student my eyes
have been opened to so many aspects of art I enjoy,
my watercolour paintings are just the start of what
I hope to produce! Patterns, print and stationery
design are among the wider aspects of art I love. My
watercolour paintings have helped define what type
of artist I would like to be and emphasise my
aspiration of wanting to continually create joyful art!
How did you become an artist?
I was constantly drawing and painting throughout
my childhood, and I have been ever since! As soon
as I had the freedom to choose my subjects in school,
taking art was a no brainer, and my A Level subjects
were all creative too. After A-Levels I completed a
Foundation Art Degree at UCA Canterbury. Being
accepted into Falmouth University was such a huge
achievement. Not only had I dreamt of going here,
it has also helped shape my career path as an artist
and has given me the confidence to take on my first
commissioned pieces, which have helped me grow
individually as an artist and also in my studies.
You’re studying for an Illustration Degree
at Falmouth University. How has that
influenced your work?
Studying at Falmouth University has opened my
eyes in unimaginable directions, the Illustration
course allows me to freely experiment with different
mediums, storylines, patterns etc., and is also one of
the most beautiful places I have had the pleasure to
visit let alone live! It is surrounded by an abundance
of nature and creative people. At university my art
is often confined to the briefs set, so my personal
work allows me to be creatively free. My aim is to
bring more of this freedom into my final year pieces.
What inspires and influences your art?
I love nature! Living in a small village has made it
easy to obtain inspiration from the natural world. I
am surrounded by fields, flowers and animals, it's
lovely! I think the natural world is so beautiful and
inspiring, and as I am wanting my artwork to bring
joy to whoever views it, what better subject matter
is there to achieve this with.
Colour is something I love to experiment with when
I try different mediums; the array of colour that
nature offers throughout the seasons is so enjoyable
to explore. Other artists/illustrators really influence
my work as well. I love to see how other creative
people use their unique talents to produce artwork
in their own style. It allows me to look at the world
of art from different perspectives; I believe this is
why I find it hard to stick to a specific medium, I get
so inspired from what the rest of the creative world
is up to I would like to give it a go for myself!
Has your art influenced you as a person?
Although art has always been my passion, I have
struggled with my confidence. I remember constantly
being told that “she just needs to develop her
confidence. If she had more confidence she would
excel so much more”. Moving to Falmouth (which
was a big move for a home-girl from Kent!), left me
homesick and questioning my art and my future
career. However with some strong family
encouragement I set up my own Etsy profile and
inspired by an image of birds I’d seen in a tiny shop
in Falmouth I recreated my own version in
watercolour. This was the start not only of my journey
to build my confidence but also to develop my own
style of original watercolours. What started as a
hobby, has given me the drive and confidence to
finish my degree and start a career as an artist - one
that I have always wanted!
Where can we see your work?
You can view my work or commission a piece via
my social media platforms:
EmilySherrinArt
emilyssdesign
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