What’s on Plymouth Culture reporter and fashion designer Victoria Lammie caught up with Illustrator Emma Sprawson to discuss her art practice and The Mindful Art Club that she runs in Plymouth.
Image: Bretonside Printers
Could you tell me about your art practice and the ideas, processes and inspiration that inform your work?
It’s all about colour, colour is everything to me, I studied illustration at Brighton and did an MA at Central Saint Martins. I don't try to make accurate representations of things but try to bring an explosion of colour and joy into people’s living rooms. Nature and colourful people inspire me-the circus, gypsy caravans, Indian imagery, and the beauty of the natural world. These things are just beautiful to look at. I believe in revamping old things, therefore I recycle frames from charity shops instead of using new ones. This means my process starts by finding a frame and then I create the art to fit the frame. It’s all about decorative layers. I think I’m the only artist in the UK using old pieces of rubber from carpet grippers which I paint little mosaics on and use as borders in my work.
Image: Bretonside Printers
You describe your work as having a naive style? Could you explain what this means?
To me it means, it’s not realistic, the shapes are really simplified and doesn’t have to be in perspective. In a way it could be described as childlike all though it’s not. It’s a childlike feeling, rather than a very realistic depiction of something. I like folk art and decorative art and those simplistic ways of painting.
Emma then goes on to tell me how she grew up in a house that was packed full of Indian things. Her Father grew up in India and this has had a huge influence on her work. She has also been to India multiple times.
Image: Bretonside Printers
Can you tell me more about the frames you use and the distinctive way in which you paint and decorate them?
I started around twenty years ago. I looked at stark wooden frames around the artwork and just thought why don’t I make the picture spill out into the atmosphere. So the frames tend to have the same subject matter on them that's in the painting. I like to scratch into the frame and reveal the different colours.
Image: Bretonside Printers
You mention that you take on commissions. Could you tell me about the types of commissioned work you offer?
People message me though social media asking me to paint specific things such as a particular flower that they like or a special place they’ve travelled to.
I’d love to hear about ‘The Mindful Art Club’ that you run in Plymouth and what it involves?
We started seven years ago after being made redundant from Broadreach which was a rehabilitation centre that closed through lack of funding. I run it with my friend Peggy Melmoth.Peggy's a counsellor and we are both artists. We started off really small in places like cafes and slowly grew. We have been writing small funding bids and slowly building it up. We have recently received some funding for three years from the lottery, which is great as running a charitable organisation is such a challenge in today’s climate. It’s very rewarding running a group like this. We support people who have all sorts of serious issues going on in their lives. We start the classes with a check in, listen to each other and then do some mindfulness and a simple art project that literally anyone can do! We’ve been running for seven years, and to celebrate this we are having a party! This will be held at The Leadworks in Stonehouse on the 20th of November from 7pm to 9pm. Everyone is invited!
What’s Next?
I’d love to find a great gallery to put my work in. Do more commissions for people and be involved in more group exhibitions with other artists.
The Plymouth Social Enterprise City Festival is in the same week as our party and is packed full of interesting events to attend.
Emma's art is a true feast for the eyes! Her striking illustrations and beautifully decorative frames are both distinctive and captivating. Through her work with the Mindful Art Club, she also provides a wonderful and valuable creative resource for Plymouth.
@emmaspraw
Mindful Art Club run four free groups:
Monday 10am - Greenbank Community Centre
Monday 1pm - Union Corner
Thursday 1pm - Plymouth Central Library
Friday 1pm - Unitarian Church Hall
Social Enterprise Festival 16th - 25th November
https://plymsocent.org.uk/whats-happening-2/social-enterprise-city-festival-2026/
