Short Bio

Emily Flint Hall is a Central Virginia artist who draws on her experiences as a mother, woman, and nature-lover. Emily paints unsettling portraits of women and nature. Drawing from a life-long struggle with severe depression, anxiety, and ADHD, themes of mental health struggles often appear as stinging insects, snakes, or thorny vines. She mixes acrylic glazes, slowly building layers on birch wood, while allowing the wood grain to show through. Emily studied Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design and Art Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. While enjoying numerous creative media as a former Art Educator, she began experimenting with painting in 2011 and has been evolving with each new work. Her work has been exhibited in galleries on the East Coast and is the recipient of several awards, including Best in Show at the 41st Annual Lynchburg Art Festival and the Viewer’s Choice Award at the 14th Annual Riverviews Artspace Juried Art Show.

Statement

Throughout my life, I have been drawn to the natural world. My fascination with insects, snakes, frogs, and every other critter started in the woods behind my house, with my dad as my field guide. I draw on my love of nature to depict themes of growth, decay, fears, and life cycles. 

My paintings are how I process where I belong in this world, and how I translate my internal struggles into a visual narrative. There is a bittersweet tension between attraction and repulsion; beauty and decay. In my work, I explore anxiety and fears, attempt to harness mental illness, and overcome apathy and hopelessness. My work often feels like self-portraiture as I make it, but I hope it can ignite a familiarity in viewers and evoke a sense of beauty and strength born of struggle.

I would be lost without creative work. When I am unable to make things, I feel a heaviness and deadening. I look to the natural world for inner peace; an interest in the connection of birth, death, and renewal; and a sense of being part of something much bigger than myself. Art making is how I prune the excess that accumulates from daily living.

Biography

Emily Flint Hall is a Central Virginia artist who draws on her experiences as a mother, woman, and nature-lover. Emily paints unsettling portraits of women and nature. Drawing from a life-long struggle with severe depression, anxiety, and ADHD, themes of mental health struggles often appear as stinging insects, snakes, or thorny vines. She mixes acrylic glazes, slowly building layers on birch wood, while allowing the wood grain to show through.

Emily studied Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design and Art Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. While enjoying numerous creative media as a former Art Educator, she began experimenting with painting in 2011 and has been evolving with each new work. Her work has been exhibited in galleries on the East Coast and is the recipient of several awards, including Best in Show at the 41st Annual Lynchburg Art Festival and the Viewer’s Choice Award at the 14th Annual Riverviews Artspace Juried Art Show.

Emily lives with her husband, three young daughters, two cats, and two box turtles in a heavily wooded area near the James River.

Resume / CV

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Education, 2006

Savannah College of Art and Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography, 1999

Awards

2022 People’s Choice Award, 14th Annual Juried Art Show, Riverview’s Artspace, 

Lynchburg, VA, (Juror, Lisa Tubach)

2022 President’s Award, 49th Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, Lynchburg, VA, 

(Juror, Diego Sanchez)

2014 Honorable Mention, Common Knowledge Juried Art Show, 

Non-Fiction Gallery, Savannah, GA 

2014 Publication Award, Emerging Artists 2014, Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY 

2013 Best in Show Award, 41st Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, Lynchburg, VA,

(Juror, Nancy Bass of Charlottesville, VA)

2013 Second-Place Award, 5th Annual Juried Art Show, Riverviews Artspace, 

Lynchburg, VA 

2001 Gay Tucker Memorial Award, 29th Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, 

Lynchburg, VA

Exhibitions

2023

15th Annual Juried Art Show, Riverview’s Artspace, Lynchburg, VA, 

(Juror, Laura Pharis)

Permaculture: Art of the Natural World, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN 

(Juror, Jo Banister)

New on the Scene, Lynchburg Art Club, Lynchburg, VA

2022

14th Annual Juried Art Show, Riverview’s Artspace, Lynchburg, VA, 

(Juror, Lisa Tubach)

49th Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, Lynchburg, VA, LAC President’s Award 

(Juror, Diego Sanchez)

2014

Common Knowledge Juried Art Show, Non-Fiction Gallery, Savannah, GA 

Honorable Mention

Emerging Artists 2014, Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY,  Publication Award

2013

5th Annual Juried Art Show, Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA  Second-Place

Two-Person Exhibition, Gladiola Girls, Lynchburg, VA (with painter, Dede Buhler)

41st Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, Lynchburg, VA, Best in Show 

(Juror, Nancy Bass of Charlottesville, VA)

Two-Person Exhibition, Wordworks, Lynchburg, VA (with artist, Lucy Marion)

Solo Exhibition, Lodge of the Fisherman, Lynchburg, VA, Artist Talk

1999-2012

3RD Annual Juried Art Show, Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA, 2011.

29th Annual Lynchburg Art Festival, Lynchburg, VA, Gay Tucker Memorial Award, 2001.

Work Experience

2014- Present

Artist Simon's Spots Pet Portraits, Lynchburg, VA

2011 – 2012

Assistant Exhibit Artist                Amazement Square, Lynchburg, VA                      

Researched, developed, and fabricated supplementary hands-on exhibits.  Assisted in the development of new exhibitions and maintenance of existing exhibits.  Developed and facilitated educational programming. Engaged guests in educational activities throughout the museum.

2006- 2009

Art Teacher       Richmond Public School System, Richmond, VA    

Instructed pupils in art techniques, including painting, sketching, design, and sculpture. Created lesson plans, syllabi, and rubrics for measuring student success. Modified lessons and rubrics to accommodate a wide variety of student needs. Planned and facilitated student contests and art exhibits. Conferenced with students, parents, and school counselors to promote conflict resolution. 

2007- 2009

Art Teacher St. Catherine’s CATS CAP Art Camp, Richmond, VA      

Instructed campers in papermaking, paper sculpture, bookmaking, oil pastel portraiture, caricature, and printmaking.  Designed and implemented daily lesson plans for the week-long intensive workshops.

2005- 2006

Administrative Assistant VCU Department of Photo and Film, Richmond, VA                 

Created and maintained a database and newsletter containing exhibitions, festivals, and grant opportunities. Answered phones, managed filing systems, and other administrative duties.

Bibliography

Brent Wells, "Woman's Best Friend: Lynchburg artist Emily Flint launches pet portrait series," The Burg, Lynchburg News and Advance, March 2014.

Casey Gillis, “Focus On: Artist Emily Flint finds inspiration in the natural world,” The Burg, Lynchburg News and Advance, Jun. 5, 2013. 

Kristen T Woodward, “Featured Works,” Artists2Artists Social Network, October 10, 2013. http://www.artists2artists.net...