By Sophie Swain
A community artist and freelance illustrator who grew up in Southport has joined other creatives in the beautiful Wayfarers Arcade space, The Engine Room.
Emmeline McLoughlin moved into her very first co-working studio space on Monday 2nd December and said she “wishes she’d done it sooner!”
The Victorian shopping arcade on Southport’s high street is now home to her studio, shop, workshops and more.
She said: “I’m absolutely loving it so far!
“I’ve been working from my spare room for a year but as a creative, it’s so nice to get together with others and share ideas. Everyone is so welcoming and the building is inspirational.”
Emmeline, also known as Emmy, became a nurse in her 20s before giving up her career in 2023 to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.
“I always did illustration as a hobby but I went into nursing as a career as I couldn’t see art as a full-time job.
“I went into a leadership role and burnt out, that’s when I decided to give art a trial run. It picked up!
“I did illustration at university then dropped out but I’ve always been into art. When I was in primary school I was obsessed! My teacher thought I had a special gift from art and design so I took up private lessons to neuter my talent.
“I’ve always wanted to get back into it and thought, you only live once!”
Some of her artwork captures moments, emotions, and memories that reflect her healthcare background.
Emmy uses a blend of digital illustration and mixed media, with a focus on human relationships, communication and wellbeing. She also incorporates different mediums including ink, collage and digital techniques.
With detailed and vibrant artwork, her subjects range from everyday scenes to portraits.
Some of her Christmas work is now being sold at The Garden Room in Churchtown.
Money from the sale of Emmy’s Christmas card designs and calendars, which are being sold exclusively in Churchtown, will go towards Little Legs Dogs Rescue, a small family-run dog rescue based in Southport.
This is the second year Emmy has worked with the family, this year she has featured some of the local dogs at the rescue centre.
The pack of cards contain five different illustrations of festive dogs. You can buy them here: https://www.emmyoranges.com/shop/p/pack-of-5-illustrated-charity-christmas-cards-in-aid-of-little-legs-dogs-a6?fbclid=IwY2xjawG758VleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS3VYFbPzpCNKEI04Poipy54ko4fKbQAjJVWQFAIr1sAEmA1i0yca-W6lw_aem_dovznPhyjmTsyvJmI5jJKA.
This year, she has also created her first-ever calendar for 2025, which Emmy described as a ‘labour of love’.
The calendars are based on seasonal eating and each month features a list of what is in season, some recipes as well assome foraging tips – they sold out in only two days.
On top of all her freelance illustration work, Emmy is also a business owner.
She founded Art Ease North West CIC, a community interest company based in Sefton, which has just received funding from the national lottery.
Art Ease aims to ‘remove barriers to the arts, reduce isolation and loneliness, and support people with their wider wellbeing through the facilitation of free and low-cost Arts workshops in the North West’.
Although still in the early stages of developing the company, Emmy has already run a workshop for people with dementia where they made hyacinth flowers from scrap paper.
She said: “In my job as a nurse I was used to being around people from all walks of life and missed the social aspect. I thought about how I could combine my nursing skills to care for people with art.
“I decided to run workshops for vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities or even teenagers.
“I want to bring the community together through art and provide workshops for people who may not be able to afford it.”
For more information, you can follow their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560567273596.
You can also follow Emmeline on social media and visit her website here: https://linktr.ee/emmyoranges
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
