‘Having my own studio would be an absolute dream one day,’ says Emily as she puts down a tube of acrylic paint and starts planning the next family meal. ‘For now though, our kitchen has become my creative space. The chairs, the floor, even the walls have picked up splashes along the way, a true reminder of an artist’s life lived in full colour.’
Emily, who was born in Cuckfield, has been passionate about art since childhood, but it’s only recently that her work – much of it inspired by the theme of love – is being seen by a wider audience at The Brighton Box gallery, which specialises in original contemporary art.
Emily’s contempory work often features her family (Image: Supplied)
‘For years, friends and family encouraged me to do more with my painting, but it’s only relatively recently that I’ve truly started to pursue it seriously.’ she says. ‘I’ve always been creating, and I’m constantly painting new pieces for our home. Since having children, their bedrooms have even become my own little art galleries.’
Initially exploring abstract art and animals, becoming a mother deeply influenced Emily’s subsequent work. Inspired by her five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, many of her paintings feature a little boy and girl.
‘In 2024 I decided to take a leap of faith and reached out to art galleries for the very first time, curious to see if my work might resonate,’ says Emily. ‘To my delight, The Brighton Box signed me. It was a turning point I’ll never forget. Since then, I’ve sold over 40 original paintings through the gallery, alongside commissions and prints. It’s been such a rewarding journey, and I feel incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities that have come my way.’
She only started taking her art seriously as a career recently (Image: Supplied)
Around the same time, Emily started an Instagram account (@emilybowyerart) for her artwork. ‘I’ll never forget posting a painting of a robin and receiving a message from someone who wanted to buy it because it held personal meaning for them,’ she says.
‘It made me realise that people truly connected with my work, and that maybe I could turn this passion into a business.’
Growing up in Haywards Heath and going to school in Lindfield and Burgess Hill, Emily immersed herself in art both in the classroom and at home.
‘My mum worked in fashion and kept a sketch folder filled with the latest designs and styles, which I always thought were so beautiful and inspiring,’ she says. ‘Creativity runs through my family, from music to sport. My father was a golf pro at Haywards Heath Golf Club, but I was always naturally drawn to art.
Cosmic Creation (Image: Supplied)
‘Art lessons never felt like lessons at all, they were my space to be creative, to play, and to explore. I took external art classes where I first learned the basics of sketching and watercolours. I can still remember the joy of opening fresh sketch pads or little watercolour sets I’d often receive as Christmas or birthday gifts, treasures I carried everywhere with me.’
Emily studied GCSE and A-Level art and was awarded an art scholarship at school, but despite this her academic journey went down a different route. ‘Funnily enough, I didn’t actually study art at university, though part of me wishes I had,’ she says. ‘I was equally passionate about sport, and when the time came to choose a path, I followed that interest and studied sport studies at university. Looking back now, I wonder what might have happened if I’d gone to art college to pursue fine art instead. But life has its own way of shaping us – and I truly believe every step has brought me to where I am today.’
Emily, who used to work at David Lloyd Brighton, now lives outside the city. However, it remains her creative heartland and in addition to having her work at the Dukes Lane gallery, she spends every other weekend there visiting friends and family.
‘I’ve always drawn inspiration from the places I live, the people I meet, and the world around me,’ she explains. ‘Many of my pieces are connected to Brighton, whether through bold, vibrant colours or nods to its iconic landmarks and figures, like the West Pier or Fatboy Slim.
She was ispired to draw animals in her distinct style (Image: Supplied)
‘Where I live now is incredibly family-orientated, which naturally inspires me to paint families, children and the beauty of everyday moments, alongside the stunning nature that surrounds us.
‘My art has definitely evolved in style. I remember following an artist on Instagram who painted animals in bright, bold colours and thinking: “I could try that”. So, I began experimenting, creating portraits of animals with a powerful presence: lions, gorillas, cheetahs, eagles, sharks.
‘I loved the energy of using bold colours and splatters of paint, but I didn’t feel completely anchored in that direction.’
Emily discovered her true inspiration was much closer to home, and it was the bond between her children that sparked a new focus in her work.
‘I wanted to capture those moments of connection, love, and family while still infusing my pieces with vibrant colour and a contemporary edge,’ she says.
Her children’s bedroom walls are her little art galleries (Image: Supplied)
Unlike many street artists who use stencils and spray paint, all of Emily’s pieces are hand-painted, often using a monochrome palette.
‘In a way, street art has inspired me, but I’ve approached it through a fine art lens, taking the raw energy of street style and translating it into painted form,’ says Emily, whose work mostly comes in two sizes, 24in by 30in and 32in by 40in, which are respectively priced at £595 and £895. She also does some small paintings for £125.
‘I primarily work with acrylics, partly because I’m a very impatient artist and love that they dry quickly, allowing me to layer and build my pieces fast,’ she continues.
‘I experiment with a variety of acrylic forms, from liquid and drip techniques to thick paint for added texture. I also use acrylic pens to do fine details and liquid leaf gold to elevate and highlight my work. To add depth and dimension, I often incorporate modelling paste, as well as charcoal and spray paints, creating layers that bring each piece to life.’
She works in acrylics as she likes to work fast (Image: Supplied)
When Emily is focused on her art, every day is different. One day she might be working on commissions, and on another experimenting with new paintings.
‘I’m quite impulsive,’ she says. ‘Whenever an idea pops into my head, I have to try it out immediately, letting creativity lead the way.’
Emily admits she wears her heart on her sleeve when it comes to love.
‘I try to live with happiness and share it wherever I can,’ she says. ‘That’s why so much of my work amplifies themes of love, sometimes through the iconic heart symbol, other times through the bonds people share with one another.
‘Above all, the love I have for my children inspires me endlessly. Their playful, fleeting moments spark ideas I want to capture on canvas, preserving those memories before they slip away. They’re little for such a short time, and for me, art is a way of holding onto those precious instants forever.’
Emily’s work has sold throughout the UK and overseas in countries including Denmark and Dubai, and she is holding a second exhibition at The Brighton Box gallery in April. She is also launching a website and plans to exhibit at art fairs to gain more exposure and reach a wider audience.
Her street-art style stands out (Image: Supplied)
‘Looking ahead, I aim to take on more commissions, elevate my presence on social media, and bring my art to others through workshops, sharing my style, techniques, and love of creativity with anyone who wants to join in,’ she says.
‘The heart of everything I create is to spark emotion, connection and joy. Whether through bold colours, meaningful portraits, or playful details, my work is about capturing moments that matter and sharing them with others.’ While Emily admits she has never been called Brighton’s answer to Banksy, she loves the idea.
‘I’ve always admired Banksy, and his ability to make people stop, think, and feel through art resonates deeply with me,’ she says. ‘That’s what I want my work to do too, to make someone pause, reflect, and take in the emotion behind what they see. I imagine my style will keep evolving, and that’s the beauty of art, it grows as you do.
‘Art has always been about love and storytelling for me, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.’..
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