Emily Handley is an artist whose interdisciplinary background in fine art, architecture, and design informs their rich visual language.  Raised with a deep connection to nature and a family history in papermaking and environmental engineering, they developed an early interest in materials and the systems that influence landscapes and environments.  Emily earned a Master’s in Architecture from Tulane University and practiced architecture in Chicago, focusing on adaptive reuse and historic preservation.  This work cultivated a lasting interest in how places evolve and retain meaning over time.  

With a love of technical drawing and watercolor, mediums shared by architects, naturalists and travelers, their work bridges precision and wonder. Emily’s work emerges through a mix of plein air field studies and studio practice and is animated by a close attention to detail, free exploration of techniques and materials, and a boundless curiosity. Their work offers beautifully rendered perspectives that help viewers understand and connect more deeply with the world around them.