creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
EMILY MEADOWS
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Emily Meadows is a Virginia based fine artist who specializes in embroidered drawings and watercolor landscapes. She began drawing and painting as a child, always preferring crayons and paint brushes over toys or dolls. Because her homeschool education allowed for much time spent exploring her different interests and passions, Emily spent many years creating and studying outdoors. As a result, her love of nature is now the focus of her work as it showcases her study and awe of creation.
While working towards her Associates Degree at Virginia Western Community College, Emily spent two years studying watercolor and drawing techniques in every moment of her spare time. Deciding that art would be her intended area of focus, Emily went on to obtain her B.F.A. with a concentration in drawing at Radford University. She now sells prints of multiple works online. She participated in Virginia Western Community College’s annual juried art show as well as winning the undergraduate award of distinction in Radford University’s Super Duper Juried Student Art Show.
“Yes, ridiculous, blasphemous, and immoral works may be what is considered art though they dishonor God. As Christians we should not be concerned with whether or not this is considered valid art. Rather, as followers of Christ we should wholeheartedly be driven to let everything we do be in service to Him. Let God deal with those who have created works to blaspheme Him. Art that does not have an eternal purpose will only serve to be destroyed in God’s own timing. Make art that is rooted in an eternal glory which will never come to an end.”
Instagram: @steadfastscribbles
Tiktok: @steadfastscribbles
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.emilymeadowsart.com/
While working towards her Associates Degree at Virginia Western Community College, Emily spent two years studying watercolor and drawing techniques in every moment of her spare time. Deciding that art would be her intended area of focus, Emily went on to obtain her B.F.A. with a concentration in drawing at Radford University. She now sells prints of multiple works online. She participated in Virginia Western Community College’s annual juried art show as well as winning the undergraduate award of distinction in Radford University’s Super Duper Juried Student Art Show.
“Yes, ridiculous, blasphemous, and immoral works may be what is considered art though they dishonor God. As Christians we should not be concerned with whether or not this is considered valid art. Rather, as followers of Christ we should wholeheartedly be driven to let everything we do be in service to Him. Let God deal with those who have created works to blaspheme Him. Art that does not have an eternal purpose will only serve to be destroyed in God’s own timing. Make art that is rooted in an eternal glory which will never come to an end.”
Instagram: @steadfastscribbles
Tiktok: @steadfastscribbles
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.emilymeadowsart.com/
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
My introduction to creativity started at a very young age. As a child I was never really interested in playing with toys but would rather spend my time coloring, cutting, and pasting art projects. My Christmas lists were always these elaborate collages of magazine clippings that I had cut out, and I checked out pretty much every book on art and crafting in the library by 11 years old. While I now know that I was making art, at the time I thought I was simply doing what I loved and having fun.
I wouldn’t say there was ever a specific moment I knew I was creatively gifted. Making things has been such a constant in my life that I never really cared if I was naturally gifted at it. I have always approached art from the perspective of hard work rather than relying on talent alone.
Did you ever think you'd be selling your art or teaching art?
I never really thought I would be selling my art because I didn’t know people might actually be interested in what I made and the message behind my work. Connecting with people over God, life, hardships, and faith has been such a surprisingly wonderful blessing that I wasn’t expecting my art to give when I first seriously started making it. While I love this connection, I actually now struggle to sell my work because I become so emotionally attached to it myself.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field such as family/friends/strangers?
Explaining the creative process or rather the struggle that comes with it has always been a challenge for me. I think a lot of people view art as something that is easy if you are gifted with it. Many people assume every day I simply come up with an idea and paint it all from my head in one sitting. On the contrary, art making can be such a long and emotional process for me. There are so many steps between conceptualizing what I want to make and the actual finished project. I usually have to write out what I want the piece to say or mean, research the subject matter, find many reference photos, make many practice sketches, and then actually figure out how to put it all together. Most of the time mistakes happen as well that I have to work around, and usually the piece looks completely different than I thought it would at the end. Through all of that I also have to remain confident in the skills I have worked hard for and not let the fear of messing the piece up keep me from finishing it.
My introduction to creativity started at a very young age. As a child I was never really interested in playing with toys but would rather spend my time coloring, cutting, and pasting art projects. My Christmas lists were always these elaborate collages of magazine clippings that I had cut out, and I checked out pretty much every book on art and crafting in the library by 11 years old. While I now know that I was making art, at the time I thought I was simply doing what I loved and having fun.
I wouldn’t say there was ever a specific moment I knew I was creatively gifted. Making things has been such a constant in my life that I never really cared if I was naturally gifted at it. I have always approached art from the perspective of hard work rather than relying on talent alone.
Did you ever think you'd be selling your art or teaching art?
I never really thought I would be selling my art because I didn’t know people might actually be interested in what I made and the message behind my work. Connecting with people over God, life, hardships, and faith has been such a surprisingly wonderful blessing that I wasn’t expecting my art to give when I first seriously started making it. While I love this connection, I actually now struggle to sell my work because I become so emotionally attached to it myself.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field such as family/friends/strangers?
Explaining the creative process or rather the struggle that comes with it has always been a challenge for me. I think a lot of people view art as something that is easy if you are gifted with it. Many people assume every day I simply come up with an idea and paint it all from my head in one sitting. On the contrary, art making can be such a long and emotional process for me. There are so many steps between conceptualizing what I want to make and the actual finished project. I usually have to write out what I want the piece to say or mean, research the subject matter, find many reference photos, make many practice sketches, and then actually figure out how to put it all together. Most of the time mistakes happen as well that I have to work around, and usually the piece looks completely different than I thought it would at the end. Through all of that I also have to remain confident in the skills I have worked hard for and not let the fear of messing the piece up keep me from finishing it.
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How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
Connecting with my faith in the Lord is my absolute favorite part of my artwork. Almost all my pieces begin with my own walk with God. Whatever I am struggling with, praying about, or reading in scripture is always the foundation for each creative concept, as these are the things held so closely to my heart. Before my work even starts, I always pray that God would give me the insight and skills to create what is on my heart. I pray that He would use the piece to encourage at least one person, whoever they may be, and also use it to bless His kingdom. By praying over my work, I gain so much peace in knowing that whatever I make is His will. As a result, I consider my art as a form of ministry and worship. I want my artwork to first and foremost be a representation of God and His love, not Emily Meadows.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
My favorite ways to express creativity are through drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, and embroidery. I have loved charcoal drawing ever since my first art class. I love that it gets my hands dirty as it makes me feel fully involved in my work, and it also provides extreme contrast in drawings. Maybe it goes back to finger painting as a child, but I absolutely love getting my hands messy and feeling the art materials as I work with them. That’s probably one of the reasons charcoal and embroidery are my favorite media to work with because they both have a slight texture that my hands always feel as I’m drawing or stitching.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I believe that giving everything in my life to God should always be my main priority. My art is no exception. So, I believe God is also truly calling me to a season of making art for Him alone. I am in a season of letting go of what I think I need to make or what I think others want me to make, but rather making what God wants me to create.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
It can be costly to be an artist. The price of materials can add up, especially when there are certain items such as paper or paint that you may not want to skimp on quality wise. I have a list of items that I know I want to buy the best possible, but there are also items I know that I can buy a cheaper brand or version of as it doesn’t affect the quality of my piece. I think many people also forget how expensive shipping art can be. It takes a lot of money to properly package a piece and safely ship it to the buyer.
I really do believe in and strive for good craftsmanship, especially when someone is ordering a commissioned piece from me or buying one of my original artworks. I want to put my highest quality work out there, whether my customers are spending thirty dollars or three thousand dollars.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
Time, consistency, and hard work were the only ways I became productive and abundant in my artwork. To become an artist that has made a lot of “good” art takes years of showing up every day to make something, even when I don’t feel like it or don’t love what I’ve made. I always like to think of my art career as a marathon instead of a sprint. I just need to take small steps every day towards my long term art goals and eventually I will get there. If I have faith that God has led me down this career path, then all I have to do is just continue to make art and know that God will work out the rest.
I am not really sure where I see my art going in the future. I’ve always had a very long-term goal of becoming a children’s book illustrator, but at the moment I just pray that God would use my art to encourage as many people possible around the world. The past few years have been hard, and I think it’s important that I continue to use my art to show that God really does love and hear each and every one of us. I pray my art would continue to allow people to know how God really does care about them and their lives, that they aren’t forgotten, that life is hard, but our God promises to help us through it.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Thankfully we live in a time where there are thousands upon thousands of art and business instructional videos that are available free online. I use YouTube all of the time to improve my portrait drawing skills or learn how to keep track of my income as an artist for tax purposes. The business side of art is something that I am still trying to improve on every day and hope to learn more about in the future.
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and mess up. From my experience there are a lot of artists online that love to help other artists. If you follow a creator on social media or with a blog, don’t be afraid to dm or email them. Every artist has at one point not known how to properly package a painting for shipment, create prints of their work, photograph their art, or price their commissions. Art can be a very lonely career, so making an effort to reach out to other artists might not only help your business skills, but it may gain you an art friend.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Music is another large creative outlet in my life. I took violin lessons for several years, and I can also play the piano a little bit. Music does have an impact on my artwork in that I love listening to it when creating. I use it to keep my energy up when working as well as to worship with when making art. I think playing musical instruments also improves my concentration and hand eye coordination which are both important qualities as an artist.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I had a professor in college once tell my class that the hardest art to make is your own. I think what he meant by that is that the art everyone else is making will always look easier, better, or more appealing at times. It’s not my job to make what others are making, though. I am on my own artistic journey, and I have a unique view of life that is worthy of being expressed through my own unique talents.
So, my advice to other artists would be to just keep making your own art and make lots of it. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Choose to only focus on your art journey and how God is using your talents for His will. Make what you truly feel the Lord is calling you to create and don’t hesitate to do it. It takes an abundance of courage to embrace art making, but if you can find that courage through God, I think you will cultivate a thriving life of being an artist.
Connecting with my faith in the Lord is my absolute favorite part of my artwork. Almost all my pieces begin with my own walk with God. Whatever I am struggling with, praying about, or reading in scripture is always the foundation for each creative concept, as these are the things held so closely to my heart. Before my work even starts, I always pray that God would give me the insight and skills to create what is on my heart. I pray that He would use the piece to encourage at least one person, whoever they may be, and also use it to bless His kingdom. By praying over my work, I gain so much peace in knowing that whatever I make is His will. As a result, I consider my art as a form of ministry and worship. I want my artwork to first and foremost be a representation of God and His love, not Emily Meadows.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
My favorite ways to express creativity are through drawing, acrylic painting, watercolor, and embroidery. I have loved charcoal drawing ever since my first art class. I love that it gets my hands dirty as it makes me feel fully involved in my work, and it also provides extreme contrast in drawings. Maybe it goes back to finger painting as a child, but I absolutely love getting my hands messy and feeling the art materials as I work with them. That’s probably one of the reasons charcoal and embroidery are my favorite media to work with because they both have a slight texture that my hands always feel as I’m drawing or stitching.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I believe that giving everything in my life to God should always be my main priority. My art is no exception. So, I believe God is also truly calling me to a season of making art for Him alone. I am in a season of letting go of what I think I need to make or what I think others want me to make, but rather making what God wants me to create.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
It can be costly to be an artist. The price of materials can add up, especially when there are certain items such as paper or paint that you may not want to skimp on quality wise. I have a list of items that I know I want to buy the best possible, but there are also items I know that I can buy a cheaper brand or version of as it doesn’t affect the quality of my piece. I think many people also forget how expensive shipping art can be. It takes a lot of money to properly package a piece and safely ship it to the buyer.
I really do believe in and strive for good craftsmanship, especially when someone is ordering a commissioned piece from me or buying one of my original artworks. I want to put my highest quality work out there, whether my customers are spending thirty dollars or three thousand dollars.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
Time, consistency, and hard work were the only ways I became productive and abundant in my artwork. To become an artist that has made a lot of “good” art takes years of showing up every day to make something, even when I don’t feel like it or don’t love what I’ve made. I always like to think of my art career as a marathon instead of a sprint. I just need to take small steps every day towards my long term art goals and eventually I will get there. If I have faith that God has led me down this career path, then all I have to do is just continue to make art and know that God will work out the rest.
I am not really sure where I see my art going in the future. I’ve always had a very long-term goal of becoming a children’s book illustrator, but at the moment I just pray that God would use my art to encourage as many people possible around the world. The past few years have been hard, and I think it’s important that I continue to use my art to show that God really does love and hear each and every one of us. I pray my art would continue to allow people to know how God really does care about them and their lives, that they aren’t forgotten, that life is hard, but our God promises to help us through it.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Thankfully we live in a time where there are thousands upon thousands of art and business instructional videos that are available free online. I use YouTube all of the time to improve my portrait drawing skills or learn how to keep track of my income as an artist for tax purposes. The business side of art is something that I am still trying to improve on every day and hope to learn more about in the future.
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and mess up. From my experience there are a lot of artists online that love to help other artists. If you follow a creator on social media or with a blog, don’t be afraid to dm or email them. Every artist has at one point not known how to properly package a painting for shipment, create prints of their work, photograph their art, or price their commissions. Art can be a very lonely career, so making an effort to reach out to other artists might not only help your business skills, but it may gain you an art friend.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Music is another large creative outlet in my life. I took violin lessons for several years, and I can also play the piano a little bit. Music does have an impact on my artwork in that I love listening to it when creating. I use it to keep my energy up when working as well as to worship with when making art. I think playing musical instruments also improves my concentration and hand eye coordination which are both important qualities as an artist.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I had a professor in college once tell my class that the hardest art to make is your own. I think what he meant by that is that the art everyone else is making will always look easier, better, or more appealing at times. It’s not my job to make what others are making, though. I am on my own artistic journey, and I have a unique view of life that is worthy of being expressed through my own unique talents.
So, my advice to other artists would be to just keep making your own art and make lots of it. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Choose to only focus on your art journey and how God is using your talents for His will. Make what you truly feel the Lord is calling you to create and don’t hesitate to do it. It takes an abundance of courage to embrace art making, but if you can find that courage through God, I think you will cultivate a thriving life of being an artist.