You’ve probably already admired Emily Powell’s wonderful artwork on Instagram. We’re HUGE fans of hers and it turns out the feeling's mutual. She’s got quite the Beyond Nine collection with many feeling like old friends - just like her paintings. We thought it was about time we asked her a few questions to find out about her insanely successful career.
Featured image of Emily (above) at her studio taken by photographer, Alexa Loy.
Emily wears the Denim Coverall - Mid Blue
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hi I’m Emily, I live in Devon with my 1 year old daughter and with my husband Jack, where I work full time as an artist.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ARTIST?
I studied for an art degree to begin with and have always done art, but was worried about becoming a full time artist after university and all of the doubt about job security around it. So instead I went into a teaching job for 3 years. I slowly started changing jobs until I found the right creative work for me. Still I found that all I wanted to do was paint, so then it was a series of big career risks and leaps of faith, but I finally made the full leap into being an artist in 2018 and haven’t looked back. This journey was so formative, and everyday I feel so grateful for the job I now have.
Emily wears the Denim Coverall - Mid Blue
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE WANTING TO GET INTO THE CREATIVE WORLD?
Go all in! Believe in yourself and back yourself that you can do it - you really can. There are so many opportunities out there but they won’t come knocking on your door, you have to go and find them!
Emily wears the Sea Green Coverall standing next to her sister and co author, Sarah Moore in front of the Ormond Street Hospital doors.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WEEK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
It really really varies, but I share running a company with my husband and we also share the childcare - so spending time with my daughter and painting are my main focuses, as well as running workshops and all of the admin side of the business. I just try and get the most out of each week that I possibly can.
Emily wears the Sea Green Coverall.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?
Bringing out my first book this year was a definite highlight! It came out in June and is called Start Painting Now - I had the joy of writing it with my brilliant sister Sarah. I’ve also had some wonderful solo shows and was asked to paint the front doors at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children this year which was an honour and so so special. And I suppose another career moment, not a really highlight, but is just that I treasure each day that I’m not in a 9-5 job that I find really boring, I never ever take it for granted that I’m in a job I love and feel so grateful for that every day. I wish everyone could feel that way about their job and always want to encourage and empower people to dive into their creativity as much as possible.
Emily wears the Sea Green Coverall hugging sister and co-author Sarah Moore, and Emily’s designer Izzi Balfour in front of the Ormond Street Hospital doors.
WHERE DID YOU DISCOVER BEYOND NINE?
I found Beyond Nine through Instagram!
TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEYOND NINE AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE?
I really love Beyond Nine because after having my daughter Bea, the clothes made me feel really good about myself and I was able to breastfeed so easily. I have so many favourite pieces - it's so hard to choose! I have the Winnie Dress in the checked pattern which I absolutely adore and it is so versatile. I also love my Coveralls and the Ultimate PJ'S are unbelievably comfy! I say this all the time about paintings but I genuinely have worn my Beyond Nine pieces so much this year that they feel like old friends. I’m just very very sentimental about the first year of my daughter’s life and the journey that me and the clothes have been on together through it.
As you can see, Emily's paintings are packed full of colour and joy, go and check them out on her Instagram.
SHARE THIS WITH A FRIEND
