We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emma Walker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emma below.
Hi Emma, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I think resilience is built over time as you learn how to overcome the challenges life throws at you. A great deal of mine derived from trauma and the painstaking process of healing from it. Although trauma can occur instantaneously, healing may require a lifetime. I used to think being resilient meant withstanding suffering, but now I see it as keeping hope alive inside. Some part of you, however miniscule it may be, still has hope that maybe someday things could get better.
As a survivor of both domestic and sexual violence, resilience was often what I had to create in lieu of support because support was difficult to come by. Self-made resilience and lack of proper support is a recipe that takes a toll on mental health. I diligently researched and reached out, but a dismissive and ill-informed healthcare system was failing me and I quickly ran short of resources. Almost ironically, the blows of life continued to hit me while I was down. Loss and physical illness devastated my nervous system; piling upon traumas that hadn’t even been addressed yet. There were weeks I couldn’t get myself out of bed, times I couldn’t hold my head high enough to meet another’s gaze, and days I thought I’d never be able to stop crying.
I’m still in search of the light amidst the darkness, and some days it’s much easier to come by than others. Mental health, just as physical health, is more than maintenance and requires love and forgiveness from within yourself to yourself. Humans are ever changing and our approach, even to ourselves, should reflect that. Resilience doesn’t come easy or quickly, it’s built slowly over time as it’s needed for us to survive. A great deal of mine came from trauma and healing, and that’s only a small part of my story.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I created my business, Emma’s Cellar Door, to share myself with the world through a safe lens of artwork. My range of mediums include artificial and natural light photography, graphic design, web design, interior design, SFX makeup, and mixed media illustration. I like to break the mold a bit with my work and express that side of myself in my own controlled environment.
This year I’ll be attending several art shows with my own booth and I look forward to making new connections with fellow artists and like-minded individuals. You can also find me on local filmsets working on set design or in the makeup department. I have an upcoming gallery display this December at the Sanford Museum & Planetarium if you find yourself in the Cherokee, IA area.
One of my other major passions in life (you can’t have too many) is advocating for my local LGBTQ+ community whether it be as a board member or general volunteerism. In addition, I often work with small businesses and nonprofits to help them with start-ups or rebrands which I find very fulfilling.
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?
One thing I’ve learned is to not let low self-confidence or an over-bloated ego lead the way. The only twist is, anyone one can tell you that and it won’t mean a thing without experience and reflection. I think we are given the opportunity to learn the most from our mistakes as opposed to our achievements. Art is art, there is no good or bad art and comparing yourself to others will only drive you to madness. And lastly, therapy and lots of it in whatever capacity resonates with your body, mind, and soul the best.
I think the best way to develop and implement this spaghetti pile of knowledge is unique to you and however you thrive mixed with repetition until it becomes habitual.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My grandparents. Although they are no longer here, I often find myself searching through my memories with them to find what I can still learn from them. They showed me humility, kindness, stability, and empathy. No matter how badly I felt as though I’d failed them, they never once lost hope in me. My sweet grandmother would circulate the entire neighborhood with home-baked goods to spread joy and thoughtfulness to others. She was strong-willed and resilient beyond words. My courageous grandfather took the time to show me all the little details and wonders of the world. He taught me respect, independence, and that any differences could be resolved through a calm and collected manner. He was a great man who lived a humble and generous life. I miss them both dearly, but they will live on through me and my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: emmascellardoor.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/emmascellardoor
- Facebook: facebook.com/emmascellardoorart
