A Bit About Me
Hello! I’m Emma Phillips, a soft pastel artist based in Wexford, Ireland. My journey into art began as a personal response to loss—painting helped me process grief and discover healing through color, texture, and expression. Today, my studio is rooted in that same spirit: creativity as therapy, and art as solace.
My Healing Art Journey
Soft pastel art has been more than a creative passion—it's been a guiding force in my healing:
Non-verbal Emotion: The medium allows me to articulate feelings that words often fail to reach, offering a release through gentle strokes, vivid hues, and layered textures.
Mindful Expression: Blending pastels invites a meditative focus that calms the mind and eases tension. It’s an everyday form of artistic mindfulness and stress relief .
Growth Through Art: Each piece represents a step on my healing path—an exploration of emotion, resilience, and self-reflection.
Buddy: My Forever Muse
The spark ignited when I met Buddy, the sweet pup I adopted through Wexford SPCA. His rescue story, unconditional affection, and playful energy have deeply influenced both my life and work:
A Rescue’s Joy: Found through Wexford SPCA, Buddy came into my life after my beloved Patch passed away. He quickly became more than a companion; he became my creative and emotional anchor.
Creativity in Motion: Buddy’s inquisitive eyes, soft fur, and expressive poses are frequent subjects—each pastel piece captures his playful spirit and the emotional bond we share.
Emotional Support: His presence soothes me on tough days, offering the same healing comfort that art does. Buddy and pastels together form the heart of my calm and creative sanctuary.
What I Create
Pet & Wildlife Portraits: From intimate pet commissions to vibrant wildlife studies, I translate emotion into tactile pastel layers.
Mindful Workshops: I host Soft Pastel for Wellbeing workshops—intimate sessions designed to help participants unwind, tap into creative flow, and find calm through art
Nature-Inspired Works: Based in rural Wexford, I draw on the beauty of the natural world, capturing light, texture, and the silent stories of the countryside.
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time". Thomas Merton
