I was drawing from an early age and it felt like magic. Creating my own worlds with a pencil was like having a magic wand in my hand. The drawings weren’t brilliant but they transported me and hours would pass in this wonderful world where my imagination would flow out of my pencil and onto the paper and I had not a care in the world.

In secondary school a career advisor told me to forget about being an artist as it wasn’t a proper job and learn to type. I gave up on my dream for many years. Fast forward to present time - I bumped into an old friend who I hadn’t seen since school. We were talking about our paths in life and where they had led us. I told her about the career advisor and she told me that the same woman had dismissed her dream of becoming a social worker. She had told her she “didn’t have the right personality” at 13?! We wondered how many children have been diverted from their dreams in this way. Lesson learned? Never listen to people who crush dreams.

I’ve been commissioned to create illustrations for businesses, charities and organisations including the NHS and Oxford University along with countless animal portraits and a variety of other commissions.

I’m from Oxford and loved growing up in this city. I now live in the Cotswolds with my husband and two children but would love to live by the sea one day even if just for a while. For now, you can find me most days with Nellie my ginger fruitloop in the studio or out on muddy dog walks.

If you have any questions for me, are interested in commissioning an original artwork or would like to work with me on a collaboration or project I’d love to hear from you. There are a few ways to get in touch. You can email me directly here: emma@emmacoxart.com or through any of my social media platforms or just fill out the contact form by clicking the button.