Artist spotlight : Emma Laraby
Emma Laraby is a multidisciplinary designer and artist based in the San Diego area, also known as @emmalaraby on Instagram. Her work encompasses graphic design, illustration, photography, and teaching, with a focus on culture and experience through design. She is the founder of @daran.art and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design. You can see her portfolio and learn more about her work on her website, www.emmalaraby.design
Exploring 2D and 3D Colorful Letterforms 'emma'.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I don’t think anything inspired me to become an artist. It was something that was already in me. I’ve always found myself holding a pen or pencil and drawing. If I didn’t have tools, I would create with whatever I could find. Art was my escape. As an immigrant who moved a lot, who loved and missed their country, art became my voice when I didn’t have one. Over the years, I developed my style naturally. I started with traditional work, then moved into digital. Eventually, I blended the two. Studying graphic design helped me refine my perspective and taught me how to harness both disciplines in a way that felt personal and true.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset when starting a new project?
I don’t follow a specific ritual. For me, creating comes from a feeling. It’s not something I prepare for or wait to be inspired by. When I feel something deeply, I just create. That urge is the ritual. Sometimes music helps me tap into that space, but the real trigger is emotion. It’s not about waiting for a perfect moment. When something moves me, I begin.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice,and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I take feedback as reflection, not as a rule. I listen and appreciate it, but I don’t let it silence my voice. If the feedback feels respectful and constructive, I consider it. But if it crosses into something personal or dismissive, I remind myself that art isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling and truth. I trust my intuition and create from that space, while staying open to growth.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
Exhibiting with The Holy Art Gallery came at a time when I really needed something to hold on to. I was going through heartbreak, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. Being part of this show gave me a space to exist again, outside of the pain. One of the pieces I included was made years ago, and it finally got the attention it deserved. It felt like honoring a version of myself I had forgotten. It was a healing and rewarding experience.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to open my own studio. I want to teach art and design. I want to help others find their voice like I found mine. I plan to achieve this by reaching out to institutions, by collaborating, by continuing to show my work and tell my story. I won’t stop until I build the space I’ve always dreamed of.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
Emotion is the beginning of every piece I create. My art comes from deep places. From memories. From things I’ve tried to forget. And I believe we all carry those hidden parts. I hope my art gives people permission to feel. To remember. To connect. It’s not just about my story. It’s about our story as human beings. My work is about detachment, displacement, being unseen while screaming to be understood. I want people to see their own reflection in my work. Their own color, voice, and soul.
