Emma Stanley

**Emma Louise Stanley**, working under the name **E.L.SART**, is a mixed media artist based in Tamworth, NSW. With formal qualifications in a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts/Visual Arts, Emma spent a decade as a high school art teacher before establishing herself as an independent artist in 2020.

Working across acrylic, paint pens, collage, and textiles, Emma creates vibrant “dopamine art” — bold, expressive works saturated with pinks, pattern, and playful energy. Her practice embraces colour as emotion, layering fabric, texture, and mark-making to create joyful, immersive surfaces that celebrate individuality and self-expression.

For Emma, the act of creating is as important as the finished work. Drawing is instinctive and restorative — a process that allows ideas, symbols, and imagined worlds to move freely from mind to canvas. Her work reflects a personal philosophy of leading with kindness, embracing creativity in everyday life, and finding beauty in bold self-expression.

Emma has exhibited in *Hey That's My Guitar* (2024) and was a finalist in *The Inty* (2025) at Weswal Gallery. She has also exhibited in *Friends of the Gallery* (2024) at Tamworth Regional Gallery, *Foot Square* (2025) at Aspire Gallery, and presented her exhibition *GooGoo Muck* at The Loft in 2026. Emma will also be exhibiting in the upcoming *Stage to Page* exhibition at Tamworth Regional Gallery later this year and will again be featured in the annual *Friends of the Gallery* exhibition.

Alongside her exhibition practice, Emma works closely with Weswal Gallery as both an exhibiting artist and workshop facilitator and has delivered workshops at Tamworth Regional Gallery and privately within the community. She has also completed a number of commissioned works.

Through colour, pattern, and unapologetic joy, E.L.SART invites viewers into a world where happiness is amplified, creativity is fearless, and art becomes a celebration of self.

I create vibrant mixed media works that celebrate joy, individuality, and the power of self-expression. Working across acrylic paint, paint pens, collage, and textiles, I am drawn to bold colour, layered patterns, and playful imagery that evoke a sense of happiness and nostalgia.

My work is often described as “dopamine art” — art that embraces colour as emotion and invites viewers to experience a moment of delight. Pink features prominently throughout my practice, not only as a favourite colour but as a symbol of optimism, confidence, and unapologetic self-expression. Through layers of fabric, mark-making, and decorative elements, I create immersive works that encourage people to embrace what brings them joy.

For me, the creative process is as important as the finished artwork. Drawing and painting are instinctive, restorative acts that allow ideas, symbols, and imagined worlds to emerge organically. Creating provides a space for curiosity, play, and reflection, transforming everyday thoughts and experiences into visual stories.

My background as an educator has also shaped my artistic practice. Working with young people has reinforced my belief that creativity should be accessible, fearless, and free from judgment. I strive to bring that same sense of possibility and encouragement into my work, creating pieces that celebrate authenticity and invite connection.

Ultimately, my work is an invitation to see the world through a brighter lens—to embrace colour, celebrate individuality, and find beauty in the quirky, playful, and unexpected moments that make us who we are. Through pattern, texture, and unapologetic joy, I hope to create art that leaves people feeling uplifted, inspired, and a little more connected to themselves.