b'Emma describes her studio as a harmonious energy, so I found myselfquaint north-lit room in her home. I listening to a lot of romantic sym-have uniform light for most of the day, phonies and calming classical music. which helps me see colors as accurately Her most cherished item in heras possible. Its on the second floor and studio is a set of 175 Sennelier extraoverlooks a conservation area where I soft pastels. My grandma gifted thecan bird-watch if I need a little break. set to me one Christmas, said Emma.Tacked up on the walls are charcoal They are like sticks of butter! Assortedsketches of my loved ones who in gradients of hue, I can pretty muchgraciously posed for me, paintings of find any color Im looking for. They aremy grandmas that inspire me, so vibrant and highly pigmented.and a few old, amateur paintings of Natural light is important formine to encourage me. Its such a color accuracy, so Emma paints duringblessing to have a conducive space that the day. I am a shameless colorist, sheOur cover dog is Maya, allows me to get into work mode readily admits. Speaking of color, herpainted by Emma Sims without hinderance. favorites are blue and green, and theEvery cover of The New Barker has two of them together create teal.featured an original work of art by adifferent artist since our first issue, Green is such a grounding, naturalpublished in December 2006. Maya color that makes such harmony withis the beloved dog of Brooke Palmer blue, said Emma. Teal is a gentleKuhl and her husband Craig Kuhl. calming color that combines all theBy donating to Frankies FriendsFoundation during a charity functions properties of blue and green I lovelive auction, Brooke was given the so much. It reminds me of land andopportunity to have an original portrait sea, both elements I find energizingpainted of one of her dogs for a cover and magnetic.ofThe New Barker. Inspiration, at the moment, isWe gave Emma several photographsfrom which to work, including one Richard Schmids work and hisprofessionally done by photographer methodology. He painted the mostAdam Goldberg, which she selected. sensitive, energetic paintings in theAs is customary, Brooke will be Alla Prima technique, said Emma.presented with the original painting ofMaya, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge My grandmother will always be anearlier this year. inspiration to me, as I adore her abilityPainting for Emma is mostly done to thoughtfully and beautifully portrayin silence, totally zoned into what is on her subject.g her easel with nothing but her thoughts. Continued on next pageMy utmost That is especially true when she isinspiration comes working on something precise in thepainting. Sometimes, when I listen tofrom each clients music, I end up just thinking about themusic instead of what Im painting,trust and faith in said Emma. When the music becomesme to paint their a buzzing distraction, I know some-thing isnt right about by audio/visualbeloved pet. It is setup. But, when Im working on some-thing that requires a little more speed,an honor I hold energy, or emotion, I like to listen toso very highly. music that elicits in me whatever moodIm trying to convey in my painting.Emma Sims Energy flows through all of us, and Ibelieve music and art tend to enhancethese flows. For the portrait of Maya, Iwanted a soft,www.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 67'