Art by Emily Sunez
Pasadena, California
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Emily in her studio
Photo Credit by: Miriam Brummel
I’m a nature and landscape oil painter working out of my home studio in Pasadena, CA. I first picked up a paint brush several years ago as a way to cope with chronic autoimmune disease, and I totally fell in love with painting! Art has become a huge part of my life, and I’m excited to now be sharing my paintings with my community. I’ve shown my work in galleries and juried exhibitions across the state of California, as well as local boutiques, cafes, pop up shops, and art fairs. The products I sell are original paintings, prints, and greeting cards.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
I paint mostly desert landscapes and plants and am inspired by the beautiful landscape of the southwest. You’ll see a lot of Joshua trees, cacti, and other succulents in my work. I grew up on the east coast, so these desert plants have a very exotic feel to me. They also symbolically represent growth, resiliency, and survival. I take frequent trips out to Joshua Tree National Park and Phoenix, AZ, where I take photos to paint from. While I work in realism, I aim to go beyond the photo on the canvas. I create an idealized and enhanced version of the image, portraying nature as pure and sacred.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
I believe every artists’ work is unique because of the unique life experiences, perspective, and training they bring to their practice. I approach my art from a place of healing, often setting an intention of achieving a sense of peace through my painting practice. I hope that others who view my work feel a sense of stillness and connection to the natural world.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
Managing my art practice with my day job can be a challenge! I work in finance for a small investment company during the day, and then I shift gears and paint in the evenings. It can be tricky to juggle both roles but creating an evening studio schedule for myself has allowed me to continue pursuing both professions.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
I've actually found a lot of silver linings through the pandemic in terms of how it relates to my art practice. While the pandemic has certainly been a trying time, it strengthened my commitment to my art. The stay-at-home order has given me a lot of uninterrupted painting time that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m thankful for this and decided to use this gift of time at home to write and illustrate a book that I’ve always dreamed of creating. My book "The Healing Journal: Guided Prompts and Inspiration for Life with Illness" will be coming out around January 2022 and is filled with my watercolor plant illustrations. Additionally, I have shifted to online sales and virtual exhibitions over the last year, which has allowed me to stay active in the art world during these times.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
Painting in my studio is pure magic. It’s the work and the creative process that I truly love. Seeing my landscapes evolve and come to life on canvas brings me so much joy, and the act of painting itself is a form of meditation for me. Painting is such a big part of who I am now that I can’t imagine life without it!
What is your *must do* local activity?
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena is an absolute must! The desert garden there is a huge source of inspiration for my paintings. Spending an afternoon strolling through the gardens is just heavenly.
Where to find Art by Emily Sunez:
Website: www.emilysunez.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilySunez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_the_painter/