I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Emilee Williams, a very intriguing graphite artist, born in Guatemala, and now living in Maryland.

An artists resume:

Emilee’s artwork has appeared at the Annapolis Mall, the Anne Arundel County Library, at Barnes & Noble and at the Salem Avery House Museum in Shady Side Maryland, where Emilee says she finds inspiration. She also contributed to a snowflake project for the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

Emilee was most excited about her very first gallery showing at “Wimsey Cove Maps & Art” located in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Her work will be on display at “Wimsey Cove” until the end of May. Although this is her first gallery art show, it is surely only the beginning of a long career.

When I called to speak to Emilee, she was working on her homework, but not for college, not yet, and not for some time. Emilee is eleven years old, but she already knows what she wants to be when she grows up. I would say she has had a wonderful head start.

Inspiration and motivation: 

Emilee began drawing when she was about three years old. When I asked where she finds her inspiration, she mentioned books and movies.

“I had a cat phase last year,” Emilee said, resulting from her love of “The Warriors”, a series of books by author, Erin Hunter.

Emilee’s current fascination is with dragons, in particular “Night Fury Dragons”, due to her love of the film “How to Train Your Dragon.” She was describing a black and white drawing of a “Night Fury” dragon she has on her bedroom wall, where she colored the eyes green and the gums pink, “because he was smiling.”

Early exposure to the arts:

Along with the encouragement and guidance of her parents, Emilee has benefited through knowing and working with artistic friends and neighbors within the community: Elizabeth Ramirez, the owner of Wimsey Cove Maps and Art, Mrs. Sheckels, Emilee’s art teacher from Shady Side Elementary School, and family friends who belong to the Muddy Creek Art Guild.

Emilee’s preferred medium is Graphite, drawings made with a graphite pencil, which she sometimes embellishes with colored pencil. Although, her large format acrylic painting, “Tiger Stream”, which she completed at a summer art camp, is attracting some serious attention.

I asked Emilee what she would say to young artists like herself who wish to follow their passion. “Go with your gut,” she said. “Draw what you want to draw. Don’t listen to anybody else. Just do your own thing.”

For information on purchasing Emilee’s artwork visit Wimsey Cove Maps and Art at 103 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 or see the gallery online: https://www.facebook.com/WimseyCoveMaps.

Thanks for reading!