Check out Emma Fischer’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Fischer.

Emma, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Growing up I attended a small Waldorf school in Southern California; I recently graduated with a degree in fine arts, now is where I consider my journey to really begin. Throughout my life I’ve been many things, a dancer, a musician, a student, and a teacher; through it all, there is one thing I have always been and always will be. I am an artist; that is the one overarching thing. I’ve been an artist as long as I can remember. As a child, art was my sanctuary, where I could escape from any negativity in my life. Art had such a positive impact on me; my goal in life is to pass on that feeling. I always wanted to grow up to be an artist, but somewhere along the way my passion was misguided. For my entire adult experience, people told me to do something practical with my life, because as an adult the most important thing you can have is financial stability. I almost allowed them to convince me.

I was told dreams are for children; reasonable adults give up on childhood dreams, because for most people they don’t come true. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy: dreams don’t come true for most people, because they give up on their passions. I have a dream to succeed in a career I’m passionate about, because people close to me believed in me, even when no one else did. That prompted an epiphany that encouraged me to believe in myself again; I remembered what my passion is worth. I was inspired to keep trying, to work harder than I ever thought possible. For so long I didn’t know being an artist was an option. Finding this career path was like a fog horn suddenly blaring from the silence galvanizing my passion out of hibernation. All the feelings of uncertainty from being misunderstood turned into clarity.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I express myself through illustration, painting, and sculpture. I use charcoal, pastel, ink, graphite, and oil paint for two-dimensional works; and I create sculptures with wood, wicker, and rice paper; and I have recently began practicing sculpting in marble. I really enjoy mixing mediums, trying new ones, and experimenting with my art. I believe art can be whatever you want it to be, no restrictions and no restraints. Whatever I think, I make. My personal creations all begin as ideas, as a “what if?” thought. Some are silly, and some have deep personal meanings to me. I’m always open for commissions as well. Art has made such a huge impression on my life, enabling me to express myself through my creations.

For a long part of my life I felt very misunderstood and confused. Once I started drawing as a form of self-expression and people understood what I was trying to communicate it opened up a new world of understanding for me; finally, I could be heard and listened to in a whole new way that actually worked for me because people started to receive the messages I was sending. It was a real breakthrough for me because I thought people wouldn’t really care about my art, which held me back from sharing it, but once I rediscovered my passion and began to share my work online, my whole world changed because people I’d never met before recognized that passion and the value it has. I could not only finally tell my story, but I was shocked to discover people who actually wanted to listen. Being able to communicate so much through my art has really inspired me to want to help others do the same. I’m finding so much life in making other’s visions into a reality. I always wanted to do something to help others once I figured out how to help myself with my artwork. I used to get down on myself because I’ll never have the skills to be a surgeon, a politician or a school teacher; but once I realized I had a skill that I could use to improve people’s lives by making them happy, I left all those hang ups behind. I won’t ever have the skills to save someone’s life physically, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use my skills to help people.
I want to use my creativity to prove to the world just how powerful art can be. Art has meaning, it communicates, shares information, induces emotional reactions, encourages thought, persuades an audience, supports a claim, expresses an idea, and so much more.

Creations don’t even have to be intentional, art can be produced accidentally, and often is. Many people believe there is, or should be, a set criterion to classify what can qualify as art; however, if that was attempted the definition would be infinite. In the length of time it would take to compose such a description, art would evolve significantly and continue to need more qualifications and exceptions added to the list. The concept of trying to accomplish this is impossible unless one can do so objectively, generally, and continuously. No one person can designate a description to define art because it varies based on every individual’s perception. Art changes with humanity as it evolves alongside us. The desire for artistic expression is one monumental social trait that all humans possess. Art is a voice spoken in a language anyone can understand, but not everyone can agree on its meaning. That voice in one way or another has influenced everyone, there is no set definition that is agreed upon by everyone; yet, everyone knows what art is when they see it. Art is so many things; and to me, art is everything.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I spent so much of my life thinking I can’t be an artist, when in reality that’s all I’ve ever been. I’ve realized there’s nothing to gain when listening to what others say I can’t do; and there’s my entire future to look forward too once I started believing in what I can do. In our modern era being an artist has somehow become a fantasy, something you can want or dream about, but not something that can be a reality. Being an artist is hard work, but so is being successful at anything else. My advice to anyone, but especially to the creatives, would be to continue to work hard and believe in yourself. You’re going to work hard in any industry, so it might as well be one you’re passionate about. I know it looks bleak, I know so much funding for the arts has been cut, but don’t give up.

I was fortunate enough to have a Waldorf education and grew up in a school environment that nurtured and encouraged the arts; unfortunately, opportunities like I had are dwindling for many gifted children. This doesn’t have to be the end, it won’t be if we continue to support each other and encourage creativity. Art will forever unify our species. Reach out to people in your community and your field of interest, the art community is a loving and supportive one. Money is important to get by day to day, but your life is priceless, at the end of it all make sure you do something you’re proud of, because that’s what you’re really worth.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Please visit my website or Instagram for commissions, upcoming exhibitions, events, and announcements.

Contact Info:

• Website: emmaelizabethfishcer.com
• Email: twiggiefisch@gmail.com
• Instagram: theartofembers

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