Unlock My Story

 

Hi there, Welcome to my site, and thanks for taking the time...X

I am Emma Davie, a mum of two beauties and an artist. I currently live in sunny Papamoa, Tauranga, NZ, having moved from the big smoke of Auckland in 2016. 

I've been painting and creating since I was very young. I have studied with some amazing talented teachers, and along the way met some inspiring people. I have been fortunate to make art a focal point in my life of late, and exhibited and sold my works internationally.

Why do I paint..... I paint because I just can't imagine life without it. Since I can remember it filled a hole in my life with great satisfaction and contentment. It challenges me on so many levels. So I have just never stopped!

My works come from within me, from life lived, nature, travel, feelings, and memories experienced. I work intuitively from no set plan, letting the brush or material to guide me to the next move. 

My hope is to offer a visual escape which resonates with the viewer. An investment piece of the heart.

CV

1993 - Art and Design Intermediate - AUT
Tutor: Max white, Bill Millward, Nancy de Freitas, Gavin Smith, Ken Robinson, Noel Tritton, Alan Underhill
Sculpture
Life Drawing
Photography
Painting
Printmaking
Visual studies
Time based studies
Design
Cultural studies

1997 - Travel through Europe
Musee Salvador Dali (Barcelona) Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
Louvre (Paris)
Ufizzi gallery
Musee Matisse (Nice)
Museum of Contemporary Art (Nice) Picasso / Dali exhibition (Venice)

2001 - Mt Eden young artist entry

2001 - Art Station - Symbolism Tutor: Shruti Yatri

2001 - Auckland Studio Potters

2002 - Travel through Europe
Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina sofia (Madrid) Museo Thyssen Bornemisza (Madrid)
Museu Picasso (Barcelona)
Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
Park Guell (Barcelona)
Teatre Museu Dali (Figueres, Spain)
Musee Picasso (Antibes, France)

2002 / 2003 - Art Station Tutor: Matthew Browne

2003 - Art Station - Nip Tuck Tutor: Matthew Browne

2003 - Art Station - Photography Tutor: Julie Downie

2004 - Art Station - Painters Progress Tutor: Matthew Browne
Group Exhibition

2005 - Art Station - Painters Studio
Tutor: Matthew Browne & Kathryn Stevens Group Exhibition

2006 - Art Station - Life Drawing Tutor: Matthew Browne

2006/7 Artfind Calendar (2007 Diary)

2007 - Group Exhibition 05 Group - The Depot

2008 - Art Station - 4 small books Tutor: Elizabeth Sarjent

2008 - Travel to Morocco, Egypt, Dubai

2009 - Art Station - Silkscreening Tutor: Kate Mclean

2009 - Youthtown - Pottery Tutor: Matt Mclean

2010 - Studio Work Tutor: Anton Chapman

2011 - Old school / New School Tutor: Peter Gibson Smith

2011 - Art Station - Professional Practice Tutor: Matthew Browne

2011 - Auckland Studio Potters Tutor: Rachel Carter

2014 - Browne School of Art - Art history

2014 - Solo exhibition “Never its mysteries are exposed” Railway St Gallery

2022 - Group exhibition "Colle" BSA gallery

2023 - Solo Exhibition "Feeling through life" Easel gallery

2024 - BOP open studios

2025 - Finalist - Craigs Aspiring art prize (Wanaka)

2025 - Finalist - NZPPA painting and printmaking awards (waikato)

INTENT

My approach to painting is deeply intuitive and emotive, focusing on the subconscious connection between myself, the landscape, and the viewer. By allowing my paintings to emerge spontaneously, without preconceived notions or calculations, I create a space for raw expression and emotional resonance.

My use of nature and the landscape as a tool for communication speaks to the universal human experience of being profoundly moved by the world around us. Through my art, I seek to convey those ineffable moments and emotions that defy easy description, offering viewers a chance to tap into their own memories, experiences, and emotions.

The process of making marks, erasing them, and leaving behind traces of experimentation—adds layers of complexity and depth to my work, inviting viewers to explore different entry points and engage with the interplay of texture, colour, and form.

My paintings serve as vessels for unspoken truths and shared experiences, bridging the gap between the tangible world and the realm of emotion and memory. It's a beautiful approach that speaks to the power of art to transcend language and connect us on a deeper level.

In my latest works, I delve deeper into the profound connection between landscapes and the natural world, drawing inspiration from my travels and expeditions.
Through my art, I aim to capture the fleeting moments of observation—the textures, colours, and lines that catch my eye during a brief or extended gaze. These glimpses seep into my subconscious, manifesting themselves on canvas in a spontaneous and organic manner.

I hope you find some enjoyment in my work.

Thanks xx