09 MAY 2020 My name is Emma Fineman, I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area; however, I moved to London back in 2016 to earn my masters degree in painting at the Royal College of Art. I am a painter and have been an artist my whole life. I’ve been pursuing my career professionally since receiving my BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2013.

I am currently working from the Porthmeor Studios in St Ives for a program I started here in February.

I feel incredibly lucky because of the overlap of my residency at Porthmeor and the Covid 19 outbreak. Had I been in any other place at the start of lockdown, my work would have been affected far more greatly. One thing that I have also been very appreciative of has been the outlet that social media has provided for both myself and many others to continue sharing and selling our work at a time when our shows have all been canceled.

I was able to participate in “Guts Claps Back” an initiative hosted by Guts Gallery and spearheaded by Ellie Pennick, to raise money to provide PPE for the National Health Services through the sale of works on paper. I think programs like that one and the Artist Support Pledge have been phenomenal outlets and resources for artists during this time.

Honestly doing various craft projects and works on paper has been a godsend. One thing I have been really enjoying is doing mono prints from my kitchen table. You can order the supplies online. All you need is a very basic kit with some printing ink (I prefer water based), a roller, a piece of thin plastic like Perspex and some newsprint, and you are in business. It’s such a basic process, but it creates such a beautiful weight to the line of any drawing.

I’ve been very inspired by the resourcefulness of the art world. Seeing how quickly artists and galleries have adapted to keep making and showing work has been really encouraging to watch.

I’ve also loved seeing how people are coming together to support the NHS and show love and care for healthcare workers during such a difficult and unprecedented time. There is such humanity in that, and I think it is something we could all use more of, especially now.

I think everyone should go check out the Artist Support Pledge on Instagram. They have a hashtag and Instagram account where artists from around the world are selling work to then buy work from each other and support one another.

Also absolutely check out Guts Claps Back, new works for sale each week and the money goes directly to the artists and to provide PPE for the NHS.

And to support me personally please feel free to check out my website and my Instagram. If you are interested in buying my work please feel free to email me or send me a DM.