I am Emma Woolley, a portrait artist based in Birmingham. I create contemporary oil paintings that explore intimacy, quietness and human connection. My work focuses on close, emotional moments that sit between feeling and form. I paint from my studio at the Custard Factory in Digbeth and my practice is rooted in the creative community of the West Midlands.

My paintings are known for their expressive mark making and close cropped viewpoints. I work with oil, charcoal and mixed media to build depth, tenderness and presence into each portrait. Much of my work explores the space between two people, how emotion sits on the surface of a face and how stillness can hold a whole story.

I exhibit across Birmingham and the wider region and my ongoing bodies of work include The Wonder Series, The Space Between Us and recent live portraits created at • nook • gallery. My artist monograph Paint Lingers is stocked locally at The Heath Bookshop and The New Photo Company.

If you are looking for a portrait artist in Birmingham, you can explore my work, visit the Studio Journal for behind the scenes notes or get in touch to arrange a studio visit by appointment.