Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Emily Knight
Views From the West
2632 Blake Street, Denver
2.2.2024, 6-9pm
Meet Emily
Emily Knight, born in Utah and raised in Colorado, graduated in 2006 from Colorado State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting. Teaching Fine Art for Denver Public Schools for 17 years has allowed her to align her life with the language of art and design. Over years of teaching, Emily has explored various mediums in her personal art; textiles, photography, mixed media and various paint mediums.
In recent years, she has found her voice through painting landscapes in oil. These landscapes serve as personal explorations of time and space - often inspired by the forms and colors found in the southwestern states - places Emily has traveled and lived that hold deep meaning to her. Exploring the way the land meets the sky, the various forms of earth, water and sky, and the textures/colors in different seasons and light, are what drives the meditative process of designing and painting a landscape for Emily.
Recent river studies, both en plein air and studio painting, are explorations of the relationship between earth and water and how these elements simultaneously form and contain each other’s existence. The water cuts through the land that holds it together with its banks, defining it as a river. This interplay is parallel to so many relationships of balance in the world where opposite elements rely on each other to create something powerful, beautiful and of meaning
Learn more about Emily in our Q & A!
What is your Dream Project?
A Dream Project would be to own a gallery space to host artists, events, workshops and anything else I can dream up. I love to curate meaningful experiences - to have a space dedicated to creativity and connection, that I could direct, would be very groovy.
How did you arrive where you are today?
I have been an Art Teacher for Denver Public Schools for 17 years - my personal fine art career has developed from years of focusing on the processes of creating art and developing young artists, inspiring me everyday to continue to create my own art.
Where do you find inspiration?
My Landscape Paintings are inspired by the West; road trips and memories of vast open spaces where the land meets the sky. Layers of color and texture created by elements in our world.
What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?
I love being a Colorado Artist! I have been so inspired by local creatives and find the community in the Denver area to be energetic and inspiring. I have been so fortunate to develop relationships with other working artists - collaboration, support and encouragement have come from these.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to be outside for skiing, biking, hiking - all the classic Colorado things. I prioritize going on "Artist Dates" to museums, galleries and other events that are curated by and for creatives. I love to host dinner parties and creative nights with close friends where we engage in making and connecting!
What is your biggest challenge?
Time and Fear! I always wish I had more time...and could quite the fears of failure, doubt, and unproductive second guessing. I am finding that if I allow for more spaciousness in my heart and head and hold on to my intuition and move forward as if no one is watching - my work and time is more meaningful. It is not an easy practice, but a worthy one.
Get in touch with Emily Knight
Website: https://www.patternco.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_pattern_co/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089636153984
If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!
