We recently connected with Emma Lang and have shared our conversation below.

Emma, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I started my business, Emma Lang Art, in May of 2020 right after the COVID pandemic had slowed down the world. I had moved back home with my parents to finish my Spring semester of college. I began painting in my free time that Summer and spent the majority of my day working at my easel. However, it wasn’t until August of 2020 that I received my very first commission. My first commission was from a friend of my moms, and it was a charcoal pet portrait. This was the first time I had made money from my art and it was the greatest feeling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always loved to draw since I was little. I used to color in coloring books all the time growing up. In high school, and applying to college, I knew it was something I was good at and enjoyed but it didn’t make sense to me to make a career out of it. I just didn’t think it was an option and that there was no way to make money as an artist.

I went into my Freshman year of college undecided with no real direction of what I wanted to do. Art was pretty much my only passion but I still thought there’s no way I can major in that. I started to feel a little lost towards the end of my Freshman year of college and unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I remember sitting in the library one night and I texted both of my parents and asked them if they would mind if I changed my major to Studio Art. They were totally encouraging, and I’m so fortunate for that. Having their blessing and finally feeling set on a career choice was such a relief for me. It felt like such the right choice for me because I had alway been the happiest while creating. That same night I applied to switch my major, and the next day I received confirmation that I had been accepted into the school of arts.

Beginning my Sophomore year, I started taking art classes in my major, and it reiterated the fact that I had made the right decision. I did however, and I’m ashamed I once felt this way, had trouble telling friends and family my desired career path. I would tell people I wanted to be an artist, and receive some negative comments. Comments such as, “What’s your backup plan?”, or “Good luck with that”. I believe my initial drive for my business stemmed from wanted to prove people wrong and have a portfolio for people to look at and see what I was doing.

As my business grew, so did my confidence and I stopped feeling uncomfortable about telling people my passion. I love what I do and I hope that is evident in my business. A friend in high school told me once that ‘if you love what you do, you can find a way to make money doing it’, and that has always stuck to me.

Currently, I am a full time artist and I am so incredibly proud of myself for that. I am also so thankful for my family and friends that have continued to support me along the way.

Now that I am graduated college I have all of the time in the world to devote to my work. I spend most of my time working on watercolor house portraits for clients. I get so much joy seeing their reactions and responses to the finished piece. Besides commissions, I paint for myself a lot. I love to paint florals, landscapes, or random still life objects that spark my interest. Eventually I would love to just paint all day and only sell my original paintings.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Running a business teaches you so much, and I had to learn a lot of it on my own through research and the help of others. My advice to young artists and creatives, is to not be afraid to ask for advice from other artists. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I asked for help a lot along the way, and I still do. I also think observing artists you look up to can be very helpful. For example, see how they designed their website. What do you like about it and what don’t you like?

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Any support, no matter how little or big, is so helpful. Liking a social media post, clicking a link, sharing with a friend, shopping small business, etc. All of these things help so much more than people think.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emmalangart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmalangart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-lang-86134b1b8/
• Other: Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emmalangart