Emma Jean Wilkins grew up along the coast of Southern California before moving to the mountains of Utah County as a teenager. The unexpected shift in landscape helped spark her love for the fine arts. She wasn’t from an “artistic” family but a “crafty” one that taught her a good sense of design, color, and an “I can do it” attitude. Emma continued her formal education by earning her BFA degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2020.

Emma returned to the Utah art scene and now works for the Springville Museum of Art as an Exhibition Specialist. When she's not hanging art, she spends her free time plein air painting while exploring new places, reading novels for her book club, being a plant mom, writing secret Yelp reviews, and baking her heart out.

Artist Statement

I am an artist that is filled with an overwhelming sense of awe for my natural surroundings. I believe that there is something greater that enables me to touch hearts and minds. Through my paintings, I hope to call my viewer’s attention to the examples of the ultimate creator. I strive to study and observe from life as much as I can. That's where the real joy of painting is found.

Every day I walk outside, I look for connections and see the beauty of the earth. In my work, I look to connect with the divine and the viewer. As I come to understand the land more I find myself more able to understand God’s hand in my life. So often we overlook the value of the natural world but it’s one way I stand in holy places. Whether the viewer believes in Christ or not, I want to be a champion of beauty and a source of contemplation.