Emma Allard Smith Art & Design

Portsmouth, Hampshire

I create a range of paper and textile items all featuring my original watercolour paintings and illustrations.

Everywhere I go I collect inspiration and ideas from buildings, wildlife, coastlines and objects. I’m now based down on the south coast of the UK but I’ve just spent two years in Perth, Western Australia, and before that a year travelling around the UK in a VW campervan.

I’ve always loved painting and sewing, but they have always been just hobbies until my son was born in 2013, and I realised that life is too precious to not spend it doing what you love.

I believe it’s important for mums to have something to love and focus on besides childcare and housework, and this doesn’t always have to mean paid employment out of the home. I want to be a work-at-home mama, so I am able to stay at home with my son and show him that it’s ok to follow your dreams.

Mama Tip

Your free time is so precious as a mum so spend as much of it as possible doing things you love… either playing with your children or making and creating things. The housework can wait!