Emily Wen

Lives and works in Seattle, WA

Artist statement

I paint and draw life as it is to me. Making art that lights up another’s eyes always fills me with joy, but as much as I would love to say that is the reason I am an artist, I’d be lying. I hold on to my sanity using my paint, brush, pencil, or sticks of colored pastel and charcoal to remember all the beauty I’ve seen, as well as console me when the dark keeps me awake. In those moments, I could use a million words to describe a dream: suspended in endless darkness, with an invisible path tugging you along like intuition—yet quite different. You’re not alone but there’s nobody and nothing to see, hear, or touch. The indescribable is everywhere. Trying to put myself and the world around me into words restricts me. When I create art, I feel the cold, ridged edges, sleek sides, freedom, claustrophobia, or love through my body, arms, hands, fingertips, and finally the canvas. Painting has always stuck with me, especially painting large canvases, where my arm stretches from one side to the other. In the recent months, however, I have been unable to paint, so I have found a new medium in soft pastels, as well as using charcoal and pencil on paper. Finding ways to continue to feel the childlike, casual freedom has been an exciting new journey—one I will continue to enjoy and later combine with painting when the opportunity arises.

Artwork