About Emma J Read
Artist & Founder

International selling artist Emma J Read is inspired by the sea and its wild ways. She lives in Hampshire and works from her barn studio alongside her furniture-making partner Dan and is mum to their son Cedar and border collie Paddy. Alongside Dan she works under their collaborative name Cedars Yard.

Never one to shy away from colour, pattern or a clash Emma's artistry can support you in your style and bring out creativity in guests. She's run busy london pubs, is often the first and last on the dancefloor so has a passion for the ultimate guest experience of joy but also organisation. Keep her energy levels up with a Tunnocks tea cake, ignore the over use of ! and x's and you'll have found your most talked about entertainment service.

EMMA'S FOUNDER STORY

Emma’s Paint Inspiration

Emma’s paintings stem from growing up on the Deal seafront and watching her partner surf around the world. Her passion for the coast has never waned. Emma’s paintings are a spontaneous and intuitive response to her feelings of both joy and respect towards the sea, the surf and its wild ways.

She studied printed textile design at Loughborough University where she developed a strong love of colour and pattern which is key to her work. Exhibiting in the south of England and predominantly by self representation Emma is gaining loyal collectors who share her connection with the coast and love of bold colour. She hopes her paintings will draw you in, turn you about and have you emerging with salty hair and longing for the sea.

The origins of Your Guest Canvas

After the birth of her son, Emma felt the urge to inspire others to paint too. To encourage not just the quest for a pretty picture but the goal of enjoyment. With a background in training teams Emma considered running workshops and whilst investigating this area, trialling some workshops and working alongside a local art facilitator she soon noticed her passion for collaborative artwork and painting large canvases!

“I love seeing people work together on one piece, losing themselves in a moment of creativity and having the opportunity to paint on a larger scale.”

In the Summer of 2019 something clicked and Emma asked herself “when do people come together for a celebration and who would want the artwork?” Her Nan was an artist and after her passing, seeing her marks on the wall everyday gave huge meaning to these paintings. That was something she wanted to be able to pass onto others.

Weddings seemed like the obvious answer. Generations, friends all together for one couple - for LOVE. It was trialled for a wedding in August 2019 with a local couple in Haslemere and Emma has not looked back since. Emma has been constantly refining and growing the service and in 2022 is proud to have welcomed on board other artists to support the business and launch it under its own name 'Make Your Mark Events'.

Our Team.

Depending on the date and location of your event, you may be lucky enough to have one of our other trusted artists looking after you and your guests on the big day.