ACRYLIC PAINTING ON CANVAS
The Gorilla
As a Lancashire artist, I love finding creative ways to use paint. The background of this animal portrait was made with leftover pouring paints that had been spilled onto a table and i pressed my blank canvas upon it. While the paint was still wet, I blew across it to create soft, flower-like shapes, giving the background a colourful abstract feel.
This gorilla was painted with acrylic on canvas in 2025 and is one of my smaller pieces. Painting him was more challenging than I expected because he is mostly black. Instead of adding darker shading, I had to build up the lighter areas with white to create shape and depth. It was a different way of painting, but one I really enjoyed, and I’m pleased with how this animal portrait turned out.
LANCASHIRE FINE ARTIST
About the Artist
I was born in 1993 into a naturally creative family, where art and expression were part of everyday life. My grandfather was a calligrapher and watercolour painter, and my father is a poet, which meant creativity, storytelling, and visual thinking were always encouraged. From an early age, making things felt instinctive rather than learned.
VIDEOS OF MY PAINTINGS
Watch me paint “The Gorilla”
Take a look at this short video of me painting “The Gorilla”, acrylic on canvas made in 2025.
GET IN TOUCH
To enquire about exhibitions, commissions and more, send an email to: emmareayartist@gmail.com