Meet Emilee Reed: Watercolor and Acrylic Pour Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emilee Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emilee, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a child, I grew up at the beach and spent many hours trying to capture the sunlight sparkling on the water and the incredible colors of gorgeous sunsets with my crayons………… As an adult, I spent 31 years with the Walt Disney Company. In that time, I was able to witness and participate in creating the most magical experiences for which the company is known. With these two incredible sources, an artistic AND creative career was, to me, automatic. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artwork is divided; almost a ‘right side and left side of the brain’. My watercolor side is all about light, color and precision, and I continually struggled to “loosen up”. I solved that dilemma by entering the wonderful world of Paint Pouring with acrylics and resin. Now I have the best of artistic worlds. Nothing can be more ‘loose’ than pouring your paint! The incredible colors and designs that are created as the paint flows is fantastic! I have been fortunate enough to be a juried exhibitor at Laguna Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach for over 10 years. Was it easy? Oh my no! I submitted my artwork to be juried in several times before I finally made it in! Never give up! I’ve been a member of one of the oldest art galleries in Laguna Beach, the Quorum Gallery, for many years now. We are a co-op of 13 talented and dedicated artists and friends who diligently work together. There are two unique things about my artwork. Many, many years ago, my husband suggested I incorporate “my signature” into each of my paintings……..and to this day, I hide my little red eyed, green tree frog in my watercolors paintings (and that’s not always easy!) I also do commissioned pieces called “Your Favorite Things”. The client provides me a list of items (flower, book, place, hobby, animal, food, etc.), of their, or a friend, boss or loved one, and I create a painting incorporating those items! I love doing these as it becomes a challenging ‘puzzle’ to me. My favorite so far was a young lady that wanted her boyfriend’s favorite things – – snakes, guns and motorcycles!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, I would share with them the beauty of my little place in this world. I would take them to the beach, walk barefoot in the sand and share a beautiful sunset. I would take them to Laguna Art-A-Fair where they could see the incredible work of over 100 wonderful artists, and then on to the Quorum Gallery, also in Laguna Beach, to enjoy the intimate artwork of our 13 outstanding artists. To finish the visit, I’d take them to the Disneyland Resort and let them soak up the culmination of color, imagination and fantasy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to, first and foremost, Don, my late husband who supported and encouraged me from the very beginning. And to the ongoing support of my two “artistic families”; Laguna Art-A-Fair and the Quorum Gallery, both in Laguna Beach.

Website: Www.emileereed-watercolors.com
Instagram: Artistemilee
Facebook: Emilee Reed

Image Credits
Laguna Art-A-Fair