Coffee and Community by Emma Sarran W. in Chicago

I've been an artist for nearly 20 years — first as a professional writer and editor, and (much) more recently as a muralist and illustrator as well. I took a leap of faith to create my first mural — a narrow floor-to-ceiling floral design inside my closet — without any training or experience and fell in love with the medium. Since then, I've designed, created, and assisted on several more murals, including a full-wall recreation of the Wrigley Field marquee and facade (a solo project) and a massive school playground series (as assistant to a successful Chicago artist). I entered the world of illustrating similarly, trying it out first as a tentative hobby and building from there. I find inspiration in nature, the city around me, and even music I hear and words I read. But whether it's muraling, illustrating, or lettering, I'm equally energized by creating my own designs as I am executing a client's vision (or a combination of both). Let's work together: I'm confident we can make magic.