Five Questions with Artist Emma Ehrenfeld

Interview and Photo by Jason Setnyk

Lancaster, Ontario – For as long as she has been able to hold a pencil, local artist Emma Ehrenfeld has honed her creative talents to perfection, mesmerizing art enthusiasts with her stunning depictions of animals and dragons. Emma’s artistic journey began at a young age, and she has since grown into a true visionary whose work captures the essence of both wildlife and boundless imagination.

Drawing inspiration from her love of nature and her vivid imagination, Emma has crafted a diverse portfolio that is as captivating as it is unique. Wildlife, brought to life with intricate details, appears to leap off the canvas.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Emma’s artistic process is her preferred time to work. She thrives in the evening and late into the night, relishing the solitude that allows her creativity to flow unhindered. The world around her seems to melt away, leaving her alone with the canvas, where her visions come to life.  

In addition, painting and sculpting have become more than just a creative outlet for Emma; they have evolved into a meditative sanctuary that helps her unwind and rejuvenate. Recently, Emma started her Facebook page, aptly named “Before the Birds Art,” to share her creativity with a broader audience.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1 – Tell us about your creative process. Do you plan each piece out, or does the art take shape as you work?

“I love to plan my pieces, especially my sculptures. I have a small sketchbook where all my ideas come to life, from a quick sketch to more detailed drawing studies. I play around with poses and perspectives until I find a design I like that captures the feel I’m going for. Sometimes I get it in one or two sketches, other times, pages, before moving onto the canvas or clay.”

2 – What inspires you to create art?

“I have loved nature and fantasy for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, I have a specific creature or animal in mind that I want to bring to life; other times, something as simple as the pattern on a flowers petals inspires me!”

3 – Do you have any tips or advice for artists just starting out?

“Keep working! You can only ever get better. Join artist groups online to see how everyone else works and creates the looks they’re going for. Look at things and try to imagine how you might paint or draw it. Watch speed paints, tutorials, and look at progress pictures. And never doubt your abilities; what’s fun about art is no one can tell you what it is or isn’t!”

4 – How has your artwork changed compared to when you first started?

“When I began painting, I overwhelmed the background with texture and bold detail. It was so distracting from the main focus of the painting. Now, I try to keep the backgrounds more muted, or add layers of glaze to slowly fade it out. I also got much better at anatomy and perspective.”

5 – Do you have any long-term plans or goals for your artwork?

“It has always been a goal of mine to live doing the things I love, and creating art is something I need in my life. I hope to share my work with my community and make connections through it! I would love to further develop my artwork and skills and participate in more art shows!”