Artist of the Week: Emma Danielsson

Emma Danielsson is a Seattle-based artist who doesn't consider herself "defined by one particular medium."

Seattle Refined: How long have you been creating? What mediums do you work with?
Emma Danielsson: I have been creating since I was old enough to pick up a crayon. I don't really consider myself to be an artist defined by one particular medium — whatever I can get my hands on is an opportunity to create. Most of my work that is available for the public is expressed in photographs. Lately, I've been experimenting a lot with dying different fabrics, painting leather scraps, jackets and boots. I love thrifting for housewares and breathing new life into some random ordinary object — turning it into chic or edgy home decor. I'll use anything from oil/acrylic paint, spray paint or even nail polish. Sometimes, I will even pick up random furniture I find for free laying on the side of the highway, sand and oil it, give it a fresh coat of paint and invest in elegant new hardware. I recently put up a really cool gallery wall with different art prints + postcards that I've put inside of painted frames. Mixing in thrifted items and textured materials gives it a really sophisticated look when done with intention. I love to decorate my space with different pieces that I've made. It allows me to style my interior on a budget and it keeps me feeling inspired.

Can you tell us about your artistic process and how the different stages work into it?
My process comes from a need to create. When I feel disconnected from that state of flow, I don't feel like myself at all. Some days come more effortlessly, and other days, I have to fight for it. Sometimes, the best art comes from those days when it feels like a fight. I choose to see the world through a creative lens and when you look at the world this way, exquisite sights are everywhere. The alluring thing about art is that it can really be whatever you make it. I've always been particularly inspired by Jeff Koons' style of readymade art — taking everyday objects and displaying them in such a way that it becomes a contemporary art piece. The way you display an object, or even the lighting you use to highlight a certain part of a room can really transform the ordinary into fine art. It's brilliant and encourages one to see the world through a whole new lens. That tiny shift in perspective can change your whole life. It opens doors to new ideas and allows things that normally feel dull and common to feel exciting and fresh. That fuels my creative process and allows me to find a silver lining when life feels dark or tedious.

Tell us about where your inspiration for your art comes from.
I find inspiration in the most mundane things sometimes. When I can feel the flow of paint in my mind, looking at cool graffiti in some random alley where nobody goes. I can look at something like that, and immediately my mind is just racing with color, paint and texture. Street art is the modern version of cave paintings. It's a way to leave a mark on your territory and interact with the community. I think a lot of people think it's ugly, but I find it to be endlessly fascinating. My dad immigrated to the United States from a tiny town in Northern Sweden in the 70s, and I'm lucky to have a strong connection to my heritage. Scandinavians have always been ahead of the game with their style — art, fashion, architecture. Balancing the classic and timeless with modern brilliance and simplicity. The Scandi culture has definitely had a strong impact on my own personal style.

Do you have a specific "beat" you like best – nature, food, profiles, etc.?
Anything with texture and beautiful lines. Nature is full of raw beauty down to the microscopic level. We're so lucky to have an abundance of natural beauty here in the Pacific Northwest. I'm a big fan of beautiful food — you could take your boring afternoon snack on a random Tuesday and plate it into something luxurious and special with a little creativity.

Do you have one piece of art that means more to you or is extremely special to you?
Not really! My taste is ever-changing, and that applies to my own art and everywhere I receive inspiration for it. I'm always looking for something new and fresh that inspires me. That could be the next thing I want to order: what variations of street style are trending across the globe, who is having a cultural moment of significance, and why. I try not to get too attached to one particular thing.

What experiences in your life have affected your art the most?
Traveling is a big one. I'm addicted to that feeling of total culture shock. Visiting a new place, hearing a foreign language, indulging in the local cuisine, exploring the town like a curious traveler and not an idle tourist is critical. As thrilling as it is being in a major city, I get equally as much joy from checking out the scene virtually in the middle of nowhere. I went to Miami for the first time in December and fell in love with its loud, vibrant culture. Completely the opposite scene of Seattle. At the same time, one of my favorite trips in the last few years was exploring the dusty streets of Cody, Wyoming. Walking into the local saloon, getting served by a rugged cowboy type in full uniform and chatting with other bar patrons about the bear we all saw chowing down on a huge Bull Elk on the river at Yellowstone. Getting exposure to new scenery and participating in different communities is great life experience and a never-ending source of inspiration.

If we want to see more of your work, where should we go to find it?
On my Instagram @emma.loviise.

What is next for you? Anything you're working on right now that you're really excited about?
I've been working on a really cool project based around mental health that is more inclusive to men but meant for everyone. The concept at its core is about teaching tactics to build mental strength and resilience — how to navigate life dealing with issues such as depression & complex trauma. You can check that out on Instagram as well @the.reform.method.

Lastly, how do you take your coffee? (We ask everyone!)
I love a giant iced coffee with a splash of cream and cinnamon shaken in.

About 'Artist of the Week': This city is packed with artists we love to feature weekly on Seattle Refined! If you have a local artist in mind that you would like to see featured, let us know at hello@seattlerefined.com. And if you're wondering just what constitutes art, that's the beauty of it; it's up to you! See all of our past Artists of the Week in our dedicated section.