The talented young Tyrone woman creating art in the Himalayas

CURRENTLY based in the village of Bir at the foot of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh in India, Emily Quinn’s art is inspired by the beautiful and unique landscapes she has seen along her travels.

Originally from Ardboe, Emily has spent the past two years travelling around India, exploring the northern Himalayan states of Ladakh, Jammu, Kashmir, and the tribal areas of the north east on motorbike with nothing but a tent, two sleeping bags and her travel partner.

“I was the passenger on the motorbike, which left me free to do nothing but watch the landscapes go by,” she explained.

“We camped throughout the north east for three months, and that probably was the most immersible part of the whole journey. I am continuously drawn to the mountain regions, especially the border areas… there is so much diversity there and it feels really different from the rest of India.

“The area where I am based now has a heavy Tibetan influence because of the big refugee community, and the Dalai Lama himself lives in the neighbouring town of Dharamshala, just next to mine.”

Having loved painting and drawing from a young age, Emily chose to do a degree in biology, admitting that she ‘pretty much’ forgot about art altogether, until she started travelling.

“When you travel, you spend so much time alone,” she explained.

“A lot of places I stayed did not have wifi or other travellers, or I would be stuck in airports, trains or ferries for days at a time with nothing to do.

“I started drawing just to pass the time, and then I remembered how much I loved it as a child.

“I remembered how much joy I get from being able to translate things I find beautiful onto paper.”

Traditional 

When it comes to painting, Emily said she likes to follow the traditional style and sticks to oils on canvas.

“I love the complexity of oil paints,” she said.

“There is a never-ending learning in them. I recently upgraded from student quality to artist quality paints, allowing me to improve my practice with more vibrant and crisp colour.”

Beyond the inspiration she takes from landscapes, Emily said it is the people she meets along the way who also inspire her.

“Everyone seems to have a special understanding of art in their heart,” she said.

“People bring great ideas to me all the time.

“They’re equally excited about my journey as I am, and I am grateful for every conversation.

Inspire

“They might inspire me to visit a certain place, to meet a certain person, or to try a new idea.

“There is a whole community of people living out here who have taken a similar path to me – they left the beaten track to follow something they love – and we all take inspiration from each other.

“The Indian people inspire me too, by always reminding me to slow down.

“They have a way of reminding you of the real purpose of life. Being here keeps me from getting too swept away in the rat race, and stops me from trying to overcapitalise on my art.

“It keeps me honest with myself.”

For more information on Emily’s work or to keep up to date with her journey you can visit her webstie at emilinoart.com or follow her on Instagram @emilinoart