My Journey

My Journey: Meet the Maker

"My art is all things bright and beautiful. I believe that it should bring joy, happiness, nostalgia, and beauty into people’s everyday lives." — Emma Jacobs

I am a Cork-based visual artist, contemporary crafter, and creative entrepreneur. My work balances the bold, expressive world of oil painting with the mindful, tactile comfort of design-led textiles.

From Corporate Hospitality to Canvas

Originally from South Africa, my family and I relocated to County Cork in 2021. For two decades, I successfully balanced corporate life in learning and development with running a five-star, art-themed B&B in Durban. It was in 2016, at age 46, that I picked up a paintbrush for an introductory class—igniting a latent flame that would completely rewrite my career.

In April 2024, I took a leap of faith to leave my senior hotel management role in Cork to pursue my creative business, Emma Jacobs Art, full-time. Today, I navigate my thriving creative practice while further grounding my work academically as an MA in Art and Engagement student at the Crawford College of Art and Design (MTU).

The Maker’s Practice: From Canvas to Comfort

My creative expression spans two beautifully contrasting yet complementary mediums, both anchored in the pursuit of texture, warmth, and visual storytelling.

1. Contemporary Realism & Vibrant Oils

Known for bold brushstrokes, oversized canvases, and happy, upbeat colours, my paintings handle portraits, landscapes, beach scenes, wildlife, and florals.

I activate my canvases in a uniquely energetic way—using unpredictable ink runs and vibrant acrylic washes before layering the final oil work. I describe this painting process as "creating beauty and order out of the chaos of the underpainting." A lot of my work captures the whimsical essence of my adopted home, featuring everything from scenic West Cork landscapes and coastal walks to local cows and robins.

2. Design-Led Heritage Craft

When I am not at the easel, I channel my love for texture and pattern into a striking collection of design-led, hand-knitted and hand-crocheted homeware.

Featuring statement blankets, cozy cushions, festive bunting, and vibrant pencil cases, this collection focuses on colour coordination and tactile joy. These are modern, heirloom-quality comforts designed to breathe life into any interior space.