Emma's story
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My art is characterized by big, bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and contemporary, striking themes. I love to explore a variety of subjects, including Nostalgic Memories, Contemporary Portraits, Wildlife, Flowers, and Landscapes. I draw my inspiration from beautiful and striking images, which drive my passion for painting.
I find the reactions from my clients incredibly motivating, and the excitement I feel when my work is appreciated is powerful. It's a personal validation seeing my art in different parts of the world, from the UK and USA to Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Ghana, Mauritius, Reunion Island, Japan, Ireland, and South Africa.
In June 2021, my husband Nic and I relocated from Durban, South Africa to Cork in Ireland. We are still the proud owners of Westville B&B, a five-star Bed & Breakfast in Durban with an art theme. This move to Ireland has provided a fantastic dual-continent arena for showcasing and selling my work.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my art career is creating bespoke art pieces and commissions for clients. The look of joy on their faces when they see their special memories or loved ones transformed into art is truly heartwarming, and I get a huge kick out of it. I refer to myself as a "re-born" artist as my visual art career took off in 2016, and since then, I have never looked back!

Emma's background
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My sister and I went to Art lessons from when we were small, and I was fortunate enough to be taught by the amazing Nina Campbell-Quine at her Hyde Park Child Art Studio. I took Art as a school subject through to final year at school.
I attended numerous Portraiture and Landscape art workshops to learn and grow as an artist and was the founder of Durban Art Workshops in Westville, Durban where I helped other artists grow too. I love the learning and self-discovery journey of art and painted weekly with a group of practicing artists with Dee Donaldson at Studio 3.
I have a Bachelor of Arts, and Postgraduate Diploma in Organisation and Management from the University of Cape Town. My career to-date has been in Learning & Development, Hospitality Management, and my Art Practice.
Exhibitions & Galleries
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In South Africa, I exhibited at the Hilton Arts Festival, Art in the Shade in Mtunzini, KZNSA Gallery’s Buzzart, Art in the Park in Pietermaritzburg, and The Aesthete Clarens Art Experience in the Free State.
In March 2020, I held a solo exhibition at The Foyer at Studio 3 in Durban which ran for three weeks.
As a creative entrepreneur, I love the business side of art and interacting with clients directly. People and Painting, are my two passions!
Since arriving in Cork, Ireland, I have exhibited had four solo art exhibitions:
- The Hideout Cafe and Art Gallery in Cork City over April / May 2024.
- Cork Airport August 2024
- The Grey Heron, West Cork February 2025
- Kinsale Library March / April 2025
I was fortunate to be selected as the Artist in Residence at The Address Hotel, Cork and have been a regular participant in the Ballymaloe Craft Fair, and Kinsale Arts Weekend,
I am represented by the Market Gallery in the Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Cork.
All of my available work can be found on my https://emmajacobsart.com/shop, at The Market Gallery, and can be viewed in person in Cork, Ireland by appointment.
Contact me on emma@emmajacobsart.com for more information on available art pieces and private or corporate commissions.
Your commission Is my passion!
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CONTACT EMMA
I'd love to turn that special moment or treasured photo into a gorgeous piece of art for you ... please contact me, I love seeing the look of delight on my clients' faces when the see their artwork!
emma@emmajacobsart.com
My Portfolio
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Commissions
Street Scenes
Birds
Pet Portraits
Solo Exhibition Opening 7 March 2020 @ The Foyer Durban
Figures/ People
Still Life
Seascapes & Water
Animals
Shop Now!
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