Painting by Emily Tallman
Emily Tallman’s paintings are a play on realism and expressionism. “I’ve always been a big fan of making things look real; having the ability to copy an object or make a replica or it with paint or mixed media has always been my specialty. But that comes easily to me. What I have struggled with, until recently, was being more expressive in the way I create art. Over the last three years, I’ve really found my style. Whether it be a personal connection to the viewer throughout the subject matter, leaving behind little hints in my work to build a story, or even through the actual technical process, I have learned to make it ‘mine.’
“When someone looks at my art, I want them to see subtle hints of fluorescent pink/orange underpaintings, visible brush work and the use of complementary colors to create blacks, grays and browns. But more than that, I want my work to spark an emotional connection to the viewer,” she says.
She has always doodled and became more serious about art in middle school, but in high school, it became a lifelong priority. She has a master’s degree in early childhood education from East Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree in art education from Virginia Intermont College. While at VIC, she studied with Marvin Tadlock, Sam Morrow and Perry Johnson. She teaches art at John S. Battle High School, Bristol, Virginia, and says her students inspire her.
“I’vebeen teaching high school for 10 years now, and I am so blessed to be able to combine my passions for art and for teaching every single day. My inspiration truly comes from being witness to their pursuit of creativity, challenging themselves to do the hard things, chasing down opportunities that enrich their learning, finding their individualvoice, and developing skills that help them mature as an artist and as a person. They inspire me to be better,” she says.
She has been selling her paintings at A Work of Art Gallery and Gifts since February. “ It seemed to be the best place. I knew that my former professor, Marvin Tadlock, had his work on display, and I had visited the gallery here and there since 2016.
“At first, I was a little nervous and didn’t know what to expect. However, after meeting with local artists and seeing the vision and the passion that they have for promoting fine art in the community, I knew it was going to be an amazing experience. It is so neat to be able to come together with like-minded individuals, to be welcomed with open arms and to have opportunities to reach the community through the gift of art. It is such a joy being a part of the community that they have built, and I hope to be a part of it as it grows in the years to come,” she says.
