Emma Adams shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Emma, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel like I am being called to put myself out into world in a more vulnerable way. For many years, the work I’ve shown online has been finished, polished, edited, etc. I show very little of my art process, of my studio space or of myself. I have been feeling for a while that I need to get more scrappy and get over the fear of being seen. I want to show the realness and imperfectness of running an art business.. what the daily pursuit of this actually looks like and not just a highlight reel.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m Emma Adams, the illustrator behind Fox & Fables. I make whimsical illustrations that are mostly geared toward product application like childrenswear, home goods and picture books. My work can be described as playful and nostalgic, usually focused around themes of nature and animals. I now primarily work with my iPad using gouache brushes, but started traditionally and sometimes even combine the two techniques! I really love having the freedom to experiment with different mediums and crafts, you never know what’s going to inspire you.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
A weird kid. I was a kid with lots of random fixations and interests that I really loved diving into. I loved books and crafts and music. Making up skits, talking to myself, everything was animated and imaginative. As I got a little older, I didn’t know how to embrace the fact that I felt different from others and lost myself for a while. Even as an adult, I can still get lost every now and again but I know I’ll always find a way back. Everyday of my adult life is a battle between embracing my inner weird kid and following societal “rules”. I think there’s a delicate balance between the two (especially when running a business), and I am working to find it and live as authentically as I possibly can!
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being judged. I have always been scared to try things because of what others may think. I was too scared for many years to start making art again. I didn’t want to embarrass myself. As soon as I started getting external validation from others, that fear went away a little. I really struggle to validate myself, and my perfectionist tendencies can hold me back at times!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
That people are only valuable if they are being productive. I think this is really a cultural phenomenon, but it was/is so ingrained in my psyche. We as a society are so obsessed with having a purpose, or something we are working towards. This is how I felt for a long time, before I realized it was just a coping mechanism. Now I am more focused on being present and comfortable with moving more slowly and intentionally through life. But I still beat myself up for being “lazy”, I still can’t take a nap even if I really need one.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Writing a book. I’ve dipped my toe into illustrating children’s books and I am currently illustrating my 5th and largest book! However I’ve always been drawn to writing and I’ve felt a call to write and illustrate my own book for many years, but it always felt like a pipe dream. I used to write a lot of stories as a kid. I remember my 6th grade teacher pulled me aside after class once and told me I was a very good writer, that I could be a writer when I grew up if I wanted to. I am clinging to those words now as I’m finishing up my first book and sending my pitch to agents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.foxandfables.co
- Instagram: @foxandfables
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-adams-58a200165
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/foxnfables
- Other: TikTok – @foxandfables
