Emma Mclaughlin
Emma Mclaughlin is a contemporary painter with a BFA from Pratt Institute, focused on abstracted landscapes and the use of color to represent emotion. Emma’s current series, Neon Nature Trail, employs square compositions and varied canvas sizes to create non-linear visual “trails” that reflect changing states of mind and invite introspection. This creative practice is complemented by an MBA, which supports a strategic and organized approach to artistic development and professional engagement.
Artist Statement
Neon Nature Trail is a series inspired by my weekly walks around Miami, which help me manage anxiety and stay grounded. These walks encourage me to slow down and notice the intricacies of the natural world, including subtle shifts in light, shape, and texture. Over time, my paintings have evolved from expansive scenes to more intimate studies, reflecting a shift in focus from the big picture to the emotional weight of quieter moments.
I use square canvases to create modularity and balance, which makes the work appear as puzzle pieces of a larger picture. The different dimensions function symbolically, mapping various emotional moments along a non-linear path.
Small works are Markers — quiet but deeply felt.
Medium works are Waypoints — guides or turning points.
The largest pieces are Landmarks — representations of transformative experiences.
Together, their arrangement symbolizes how even the smallest memory can shape us as profoundly as a major event. The works can be rearranged in countless ways, and each configuration offers a new path or emotional sequence.
The second language in this series is color. The palette shifts from vivid pinks to soft aquas, reflecting emotional states like peace, happiness, and excitement. Color, combined with shape and pacing, speaks to our internal geographies and invites introspection.
As I've learned to care more for the detailed, intricate parts of myself, I’ve grown in my connection to the world around me. Neon Nature Trail is my way of mapping this journey, and in sharing it, I seek to ask: What does your nature trail look like, and where might it lead you.
https://emmaemclaughlin.com
