Hi, I’m Emily!

A smiling woman with curly brown hair, wearing a denim jacket, sitting in front of colorful abstract paintings, resting her chin on her hand, featuring jewelry including rings, bracelets, and a large pendant necklace, with an orange sofa in the foreground.

I believe that every choice we make, and every action we take, is a vote for the world we want to live in - and that tiny changes make a big difference. My life is built around the power of those tiny changes. 

I am a fountain pen collector, I started swimming at the age of 50, and all of my shoes are red.

My Story

I was 25 years old and pregnant with my first child, standing in the receiving line at my father's funeral, as hundreds of friends and acquaintances said to me, over and over again: "I'm so sorry. And congratulations."

At an early age, I learned that if we are lucky in this life, we will know grief and we will know joy. And, we don't get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we respond.

I make bright paintings of flowers and horizons, and my paintings often include messages of hope, possibility, and perseverance. I call them Notes to Self, but really they're notes to all of us.

All of my work is about bringing light into the world and into our lives, amplifying the good that already exists, and harnessing the power of perspective.

Follow Me

Two lit birthday candles on a table with circular colored wax melts.
Two people kayaking on a calm lake with a forested shoreline, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Yellow and white daffodil flowers in a blue glass vase on a table with a blurred background.

Media

PODCAST

Artistic Perspective: Creating Meaningful Work with Emily Gaines Demsky

Emily talks with Rob Lee of The Truth in This Art about creating meaningful work.

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PODCAST

Three Good Things: A Practice in Perspective, Hope, and Everyday Joy

Emily talks with Margo Tantau about creativity, perspective, and the quiet power of noticing what's good.

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PODCAST

The Power of Noticing: Why Attention Is the New Leadership Skill

Emily talks with Kate Byrne about why attention is the new leadership skill.

Listen & Watch

VIDEO

Emily Gaines Demsky - Artist Talk 1

A peek into Emily's creative process, and her belief in the power of perspective.

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VIDEO

Emily Gaines Demsky - Artist Talk 2

Emily shares about the messy middle, and how it’s where the magic happens.

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STORY

Keep the Light On

Hear Emily’s Stoop Story about keeping hope alive in challenging times.

Listen

A woman with curly hair sitting on an orange chair surrounded by colorful abstract floral paintings, holding a vibrant painting of flowers. She is smiling and dressed in a denim jacket, white pants, and red boots.

Book Emily to Speak

Emily is a painter, a writer, and a collector of evidence that goodness is all around. She speaks and teaches workshops on perspective, tiny changes with big impact, and creative practice. For individuals, teams and workplaces, artists and mothers, and any community in a season of reflection. Each talk includes story, instruction, reflection, and a chance to put it all into practice together.

Get in touch
Four people standing together in front of a historic building, taking a selfie, with bicycles parked behind them.
Narrow street lined with colorful buildings on both sides, featuring arched walkways on the left and windows with shutters, with parked cars and street bollards along the curb under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of pink onions at a market stall with fresh vegetables in the background and market stalls on a narrow street.
Woman laughing joyfully while sitting outdoors in a beach chair, with painting supplies and a watercolor painting of flowers in front of her.
A brown and black puppy with curly fur sitting inside a pet stroller, looking to the side. The stroller has a mesh front and is located on a brick sidewalk. In the background, there is a storefront with glass windows and an outdoor staircase.