Emily Lawton

Emily Lawton (b. 2001) is a self-taught abstract artist from Britain with a love for exploring different styles and mediums, including acrylics, watercolours, and inks. Emily's body of work contains a wide range of styles, as her practice thrives on experimentation with new designs and mediums. Much of her work involves bright colours, as she finds much joy in them. Emily drives her motivation through challenges such as the 16 Project and 2020 Project, in which she created a different piece of artwork every day for a year.

Emily does not name any of her pieces, leaving the narrative interpretation to the observer, allowing each viewer to have a unique experience that isn’t influenced by her own view of the piece.

Though my love of art began when I was a young child, I started creating prolifically at age 15, after being diagnosed with ME. My condition had deteriorated to the point where I had to drop out of school, was unable to walk unaided and spent the majority of my time restricted to my bedroom.

Art quickly became the way that I coped with my illness. Creating artwork was an accessible activity that helped to distract me from my symptoms. It gave me purpose, something to work towards and focus my mind on. I found it so therapeutic and gained relief from the escapism.

After being debilitated by symptoms for 3 years, I was fortunate enough for my health to improve to the point where I was able to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. Although it didn’t last forever, I’m incredibly grateful to have spent those years creating without boundaries. I’m not able to paint with my current level of ME, but I like to keep my creativity alive with fibre arts and paper crafts.

—Emily Lawton, 2025