About Emma
Emma Evangeline Gustafson is a Whitianga based artist, illustrator and author, best known for her intricate paintings of the natural world. "My surroundings on the Coromandel Peninsula are a great source of inspiration. Through my artwork I aim to cultivate the same therapeutic feelings I get from being in nature. Everything in our world is so much more connected than we realize and I like to try and convey this in my work. I feel so extremely blessed to call the Coromandel Peninsula my home."
Emma's Story
"I was born in 1997 and at the age of 7 years old, knew I wanted to be an artist. I acquired my painting abilities from my grandmother Evangeline, who enjoyed painting landscapes. She passed away when I was young and I feel her soul's presence with me on this art journey.
In my early teens I developed an interest in realist painting but I was always told by teachers and those around me that I wasn’t going to be able make a living as an artist. I was convinced that it was too difficult a pathway, so I opted to study graphic design a more ‘practical option’.
After I graduated design school, covid hit. I found myself painting everyday through the lockdowns, while in search of design work. After about 8 months of building up my portfolio and selling paintings, I got my first big illustration job - The Story of Swoop, which managed to hit #1 on the NZ Children's bestseller list. After Swoop I worked on a couple of other stories for NZ based authors, then realised the necessity of writing my own stories. In 2024 I self-published 'Friendship Is Gold'.
I moved to Whitianga in 2021 and have been based here almost 4 years now as a full-time artist. I feel honored to be able to share this extremely special place through my work. The Peninsula has a very supportive, creative community, which I feel very lucky to be a part of.
In my early teens I developed an interest in realist painting but I was always told by teachers and those around me that I wasn’t going to be able make a living as an artist. I was convinced that it was too difficult a pathway, so I opted to study graphic design a more ‘practical option’.
After I graduated design school, covid hit. I found myself painting everyday through the lockdowns, while in search of design work. After about 8 months of building up my portfolio and selling paintings, I got my first big illustration job - The Story of Swoop, which managed to hit #1 on the NZ Children's bestseller list. After Swoop I worked on a couple of other stories for NZ based authors, then realised the necessity of writing my own stories. In 2024 I self-published 'Friendship Is Gold'.
I moved to Whitianga in 2021 and have been based here almost 4 years now as a full-time artist. I feel honored to be able to share this extremely special place through my work. The Peninsula has a very supportive, creative community, which I feel very lucky to be a part of.
Emma's artist heroes?
Brian Froud, Alex Grey, Shirley Barber, Miles Johnston, David Choe, Ivan Shishkin, Carol Evans, Moki
Emma's advice for other aspiring artists?
My advice is to find out what art inspires you, think about what you want your art to do for the world and the feelings you wish to impart on your viewers. Every creative human has something unique and valuable to contribute to the creative collective world! You don’t need a degree to be an exceptional fine artist.
Although I have a degree in Graphic design, I am a completely self-taught artist and my process is very much intuitive.
