Interview with Winning Artist Emily Valentine Hutton
"Finding Beauty in the Overlooked"
Can you share a bit about your journey as an artist? What inspired you to start creating?
I’ve always had a passion for the arts! Even as a little girl I was always creating, whether drawing, painting, crafting or knitting. My artistic career began after shifting away from academic studies in science at the University of Guelph to pursue painting full time. Over the years, my focus has evolved into still life oil painting. I am completely self-taught.
Berries and Cream – Oil on canvas
You mentioned drawing inspiration from the Dutch masters of the 17th century and Canadian realist painter Mary Pratt; how have those experiences influenced your artistic style today?
The Dutch masters, especially Clara Peeters and Willem Claesz.Heda, taught me to see light as a character in its own right. I often use dramatic contrasts between light and shadow to heighten mood and guide the viewer’s eye. Their meticulous work encouraged me to slow down and honour the textures of everyday objects. They inspired me to create images that feel still and intimate. Their approach instilled in me an appreciation for the beauty in the ordinary. Mary Pratt’s influence is more emotional and contemporary. Her work showed me how everyday moments can become powerful subjects. Her impact on my style includes heightened realism in my paintings and the use of light that feels intimate to the viewer. The fusion of the two helps me create images that feel both timeless and personal.
Forget Me Not – Oil on canvas
You describe yourself as self-taught. What challenges and rewards come with being a self-directed artist?
There are so many rewards being a self-directed artist! I can explore whatever piques my interest – this creative freedom leads to unconventional ideas, unique styles, which in turn leads to growing my confidence. I can also choose my own schedule and pace. I have learned to wear different hats: artist, marketer, and project manager. There are also drawbacks including irregular income, managing various business tasks, and creative isolation can set in if you let it. The drawbacks are minimal, making this career deeply fulfilling and well worth the effort!
Summers Bounty – Oil on canvas
Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you develop an idea into a finished piece?
This is a great question! Sometimes the ideas come to be fully formed, like inspiration at a grocery store when I see colours matching, for example. Sometimes the compositions are things that I am building from scratch in my studio and just experimenting as I go to see what works best. Most of the time, it is the latter.
Silver and Citris – Oil on canvas
What role does art play in your life beyond creating, does it serve as therapy, a form of self-expression, or something else?
I find painting to be a constant technical challenge, a discipline that forces me to slow down and really see. Still life, in particular, draws me in because it invites endless experimentation. Within a seemingly limited genre, I’m always discovering new possibilities—new ways objects can speak through color, texture, and the quiet tension of their arrangement.
Cherri Jubilee – Oil on canvas
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are looking to find their own creative voice?
I would tell aspiring artists not be afraid to try new methods, as it is through trial and error that much is learned, and pivots can be made at any time during a career. Also, I would say it is fine to study other artists, but make sure you pursue your own unique style. A creative voice is shaped by skill, life experience, experimentation and growth. If a piece feels like “you”, then follow that path. If it feels forced, question it. Authenticity is the goal.
Crimson and Chrome – Oil on canvas
What are your future goals as an artist, and is there a dream project you hope to create?
I would love the opportunity to participate in residencies abroad and expand the reach of my work by participating in more international shows. I also have plans to start teaching both in person and online classes.
Autumn Harvest – Oil on canvas
Is there a particular piece of artwork that holds deep personal meaning for you?
There is a painting that is especially meaningful to me. It includes a teapot from my Great Grandma that I’m told she used regularly as she entertained guests in her home. I feel this painting honours her memory. It is now lovingly displayed in a home in Sweden.
Crisp and Tart – Oil on canvas
Congratulations to Emily Valentine Hutton, the Winner of the Koi Artist Award November 2025!
