Rising Stars: Meet Emily Bagan of West Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Bagan.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, my parents fostered an incredibly creative environment. My mom is traditionally artistic, always immersed in drawing, painting, and crafting. My dad is a creative thinker, excelling in ideation and communication. I owe so much of my journey to them, not only for nurturing a space where creativity was encouraged but also for their unwavering belief in my artistic dreams.

As a self-taught artist, I primarily created art for fun, often sporadically, viewing it more as a hobby than a viable career path. It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I began to share my work online. One night, during my final semester at the University of Tampa, I felt a strong urge to visually capture what I was experiencing while listening to “Age of Machine” by Greta Van Fleet. I’ve always seen vivid imagery when listening to music, but this was the first time I felt compelled to translate that onto paper. The feeling was almost all-encompassing.

I spent the next 48 hours fully immersed in creating that piece. When it was done, I shared it to my Instagram. At the time, I had maybe 30 followers and expected nothing to come from it; it was purely for my own enjoyment. To my surprise, the next day, people started asking for prints. I was shocked and deeply excited. As more and more people began liking and sharing my work, I decided to create another piece inspired by a different song. And that’s where my journey truly began.

I started out creating original drawings, which I like to call visual representations of music. Over the past three years, my work has expanded to include a wide array of music-related art. Alongside creating original pieces, I now work as an Art Director, collaborating with musicians and creative teams on projects ranging from album covers and tour art to branded materials, content releases, and merchandise.

Whether working on personal projects or collaborative efforts, my goal remains the same: to capture the essence, emotion, and journey that music takes the listener on. I strive to intertwine the beauty of the natural world with the rich tapestry of human experience, creating art that resonates on a deep level.

Since I began sharing my work three years ago, I’ve shipped thousands of art prints worldwide, collaborated with incredibly talented musicians, met some of my closest friends, and built a community of over 70,000 art and music lovers. I am endlessly grateful and sometimes still can’t believe this is my reality!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. Pursuing a career in art, or any entrepreneurial endeavor, is far from an easy path. Building something from scratch and nurturing it from idea to reality is much easier said than done. One of the toughest challenges I’ve faced is falling into the trap of comparison. The cliché of the “starving artist” is very real. Choosing a less conventional and riskier path in life often comes with significant sacrifices. Watching those around you earn more money, take vacations, have paid time off, and receive health care and benefits while you’re barely scraping by and working around the clock can be incredibly challenging.

There have been countless moments when I questioned whether I should throw in the towel and pursue a more traditional career path. In those times of doubt, what has consistently grounded me and kept me on track is reminding myself why I loved creating art in the first place and how it makes me feel. That original vision and feeling can often get lost in the pursuit of success, but reconnecting with my “why” has helped me navigate through the uncertainty.

Life is incredibly short, and we have only one shot at it. I would much rather live with the satisfaction of “at least I tried” than be haunted by the question of “what if.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a self-taught traditional artist and art director from Nashville, Tennessee. My primary medium is graphite pencils with hints of painted color. I also enjoy adding digital enhancements to my artwork, incorporating vibrant colors, intricate textures, and expressive typography. All of my work is inspired by music, rooted in creating a physical representation of the imagery that songs create both lyrically and sonically.

Whether it was a simple sketch or completing a massive project, art always found its way to me. Music, another essential in my life, always took me on the most spectacular adventures. It lead me on journeys beyond this world, guiding me on extraordinary odysseys through realms unknown, where imagination reigns supreme and the mind paints vivid tapestries of wonder.

The pieces I create are setting those worlds free from the confines of my imagination by unleashing them onto paper, allowing them to dance freely upon the canvas of reality.

Through my work, it’s my goal to capture the essence, feeling, and ultimately the journey that music takes the listener on. I strive to intertwine the beauty of the natural world with the rich tapestry of human experiences.

Drawing inspiration from the Renaissance era, I infuse my work with its timeless charm, combining elements of realism with a touch of psychedelic allure while maintaining the soul expressed in Renaissance artworks.

I believe the most important aspect of creating any form of art is authenticity. I always strive to capture the raw, true essence of music through both my artwork and the content I create around it. The best art comes from the soul, not the mind!

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Winning state with my hockey team in 2014 is one of my all-time favorite memories. I played ice hockey for most of my life, from childhood through college, but this team was a special one. It was the game that sent my team to nationals, and we secured the win during a double over time. The feeling was absolutely unreal. The love we shared for each other and the game was so genuine. Watching that puck hit the back of the net, seeing my teammates jump off the bench and throw their sticks in the air, and witnessing the looks of pride on our parents’ and coaches’ faces—those moments were unmatched. It’s definitely a core memory that I’ll cherish forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilyroseartwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_roseart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyroseartworkLLC/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bagan-0406771b5/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Emily_RoseArt
• soundcloud: Email: [email protected]
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emily_roseart?lang=en