We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Bagan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emily, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
I believe communication is the cornerstone of any artistic creation and a skill I’ve built over the years. Effective communication is rooted in storytelling. The most memorable conversations, music, and art forms all draw their power from the foundation of a compelling story.
Over time, I’ve learned to integrate storytelling into my communication, both verbally and symbolically. Storytelling transcends words—it’s woven into expressions, visuals, and the subtle nuances of how ideas are shared.
What really helped me hone this skill was studying the techniques of speakers, artists, and other influential people I admire. By blending aspects of their approaches, I’ve created a style that feels authentic and uniquely my own.
Ultimately, storytelling enhances every form of communication, making it more memorable, relatable, and meaningful—whether spoken or unspoken and is something that I prioritize in my life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a self-taught traditional artist and art director based in Nashville, Tennessee. My main medium is graphite pencil, with touches of color.
All of my work is deeply inspired by music—each piece is a physical representation of the imagery that songs evoke, both lyrically and sonically. Whether I was doodling as a child or working on large-scale projects today, art has always found its way to me. And music, which has always been a core part of my life, takes me on the most incredible journeys. It leads me through vast, imaginative worlds where creativity knows no bounds. The art I create is about setting those worlds free—bringing them to life on paper and setting them lose into reality.
My goal is to capture the essence, the emotion, and the journey that music takes listeners on. I aim to blend the beauty of the natural world with the richness of human experience. Influenced by the timeless elegance of the Renaissance and the untamed power of nature, I weave realism with a touch of psychedelic allure, all while preserving the soulful depth that defines Renaissance art.
To me, the most important aspect of any art form is authenticity. I always aim to capture the raw, genuine essence of music, both in my artwork and the content I create around it. The best art doesn’t come from the mind—it comes from the soul.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In my opinion, the most important factor in any journey, no matter the path, is having a strong “why”—a purpose that’s bigger than yourself. If your motivation is solely money, recognition, or external gratification, you likely won’t get far until you burn out. While those things can be enjoyable and even motivating, they shouldn’t be your primary focus. A “why” that transcends your own needs makes it much easier to stay committed long-term and to navigate the inevitable challenges that arise.
For me, my “why” is building my work and platform into something that can create large-scale, meaningful, and positive change in the world. It’s about fostering human connections, giving back to the communities that have supported me, and engaging in initiatives that benefit both people and the planet. This purpose is what sustains me during difficult times—the knowledge that my skills and platform can contribute to something bigger than myself is what keeps me going.
Alongside having a strong “why,” two other elements that have been pivotal in my journey are resilience and curiosity.
Resilience is essential because challenges—both external and internal—are inevitable. You’ll face setbacks, criticism, and self-doubt, and being able to process those experiences and continue moving forward authentically and with inspiration is crucial. This is something I continue to work on daily.
Curiosity is equally important. When your passion becomes your profession, it’s easy for the work to feel repetitive or even mundane at times. Maintaining the sense of curiosity you had at the beginning of your journey is key to sustaining your enthusiasm and creativity over the long term. Curiosity keeps the spark alive and allows your work to evolve, ensuring it remains fresh, inspired, and sustainable.
Together, a strong “why,” resilience, and curiosity create a foundation for a sustainable, enjoyable and authentic journey.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Social media has become almost essential for success in art from a business perspective. Truthfully—views, followers, and engagement are often tied directly to sales. But for me, finding a consistent balance with posting has been a real challenge. Engagement ebbs and flows, and that can be mentally exhausting. Having one video hit a million views and the next hardly surpass 1,000 can get in your head. It’s so easy to let what’s happening online dictate how you feel—not just about your art, but about yourself. Learning to navigate that has been tough, and honestly, it’s still a work in progress for me.
That said, one thing I always come back to is authenticity. I tell people all the time that authenticity is the most important part of art, and that goes for the content you create around it, too. Sometimes, I have to remind myself of this advice! When I’m making content, I focus on channeling the same energy and emotion that went into the physical art piece. I want to feel proud of it before I hit “share.”
Doing this has really helped in two ways. First, I know I’ve stayed true to myself and my work, which makes me feel good about what I’m putting out there. Second, it takes the pressure off how the post performs. If the authenticity and pride are there, the engagement numbers don’t matter as much.
I truly believe that authentic content, even if it takes longer to find its audience than a trendy or viral post, will eventually connect with the right people. And honestly, that kind of meaningful connection is what I’m after.
It’s a bit of a cliché answer, I know, but clichés stick around for a reason—they’re usually true! I still have a long way to go when it comes to balancing social media and authenticity, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilyroseartwork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_roseart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bagan-0406771b5/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Emily_RoseArt
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emily_roseart?lang=en
