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Home FellowsEveryone in the studios this year WorksEach painting, from sketch to finish PostsEvery studio post, by month AboutThe Prize, the studios, the film

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The Seattle Prize · 2025–26 fellows

Posts

147 posts from the studios this year, newest first. Scroll back in time; tap a post to open it.

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July 20261 post

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Jul 15, 2026

The completed portrait of Colette and some behind the scenes photos. I had the privilege of meeting Colette at one of the events hosted by the Art Love Salon and from there was inspired to collaborate on a painting. Through this experience we’ve been able to laugh and process…

April 20262 posts

Progress on Rest between Movements

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Apr 16, 2026

An update on my painting of Michaela playing the violin and the beginnings of laying the setting for my covenant painting. Most likely I will be having to pivot from this idea and hope to have a new composition and finalized and approved soon. In the meantime working on the…Rest between Movements · the making →

Progress on Rest between Movements

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Apr 3, 2026

Covering one of the many stretched canvases from two weeks ago. I have the honour to paint my friend and fellow painter Michaela Alexander as the musician that she is. A woman of integrity and many giftings. Grateful for the space and time to pursue multiple projects…Rest between Movements · the making →

March 20266 posts

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 26, 2026

Last weekend I was able to visit sunny Southern California to be a part of an exhibition with California Art Club. Pictured next to Mason William’s work from opening night, sweet pets, American Legacy Finearts, colorful produce, and the ocean I grew up next to. Grateful for the…

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 26, 2026

spent the day stretching canvases for the next upcoming months and projects. I will ideally be painting multiple scenes of various sizes simultaneously: a few narrative portraits, a figure, and a desert scene. I’m excited to be soon stepping out of the ideating stage and paint…

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 12, 2026

A new project that I’ve been starting with my talented and esteemed colleague, Daniel Zalla. After I taught him everything I know, I am excited to see his learning come to fruition. Together we will embark on a painting journey to incorporate similar elements but with…

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 5, 2026

what a treat to see glimpses of the studio life through the eyes of Gillian. She does a beautiful job capturing our day to day in a lovely (seemingly effortless) way. Gliding through the studios to share a giggle, snap photos of us at work, and all the while keeping up with her…

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 5, 2026

I am currently in the composing process again for some new paintings. With this new venture I’d like to have a minimum of two paintings on the easel at a time. It’s a mental break and refresh to be able to see with fresh eyes. Shared here are the very early conceptions of a…

Studio post by Emma Garay

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Mar 5, 2026

A saunter down to the marketplace over the weekend with the intent on creating an impromptu still life. We had a very enjoyable Saturday spent together: chatting and painting. Love creating and sharing laughs with Jackson and Diego. Nothing went to waste. We later cooked and ate…

February 20262 posts

Progress on Tender Keeper

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Feb 26, 2026

Wanted to share the stages of this painting thus far Tender Keeper · the making →

Progress on Tender Keeper

Emma Garay2025–26 fellow · Feb 26, 2026

Colour coordination in the studio today;) Creating a painting purely for the joy and “simplicity” of painting. Just a sweet girl and her pup. Depth contained within purity and innocence. I find it necessary to have multiple paintings going at once; at different stages, for…Tender Keeper · the making →

January 20261 post

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayJan 8, 2026

Stepping back and viewing the bigger picture this week. Working with the painting in its frame and then without; moving my way around the composition without getting caught on details. Additions and subtractions… prepping for the final layers (veils, embroidery, flowers etc..) . What is the mood being created? What symbols / objects might be added to assist in the overall theme? Thinking composition and harmony first. Narrative and character must play within those borders just as the image and world is restricted to the dimensions of the canvas.Giselle · the making →

December 20253 posts

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayDec 22, 2025

Each painting has its own journey and process that we are invited along to participate in. Some take unexpected turns, sometimes resulting in complete wipe outs while a few seem to offer little resistance. A breeze from start to finish. For me personally the process tends to be very organic; sometimes chaotic, often changing things drastically in the middle of the painting’s development. (My lack of patience and methodology are to blame) For the sake of this composition I have changed the forward most figure three times with three different models. The last pose resulting in one that better reflects the energy of giselle; the ballet this piece takes its inspiration.Giselle · the making →

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayDec 4, 2025

Progress Giselle · the making →

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayDec 2, 2025

Beginning stages of a painting inspired by the ballet Giselle. Here we have a paper towel role posing alongside the lovely Arianna.Giselle · the making →

November 20256 posts

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayNov 25, 2025

Behind the scenes. Creating and moving with my current muse; using natural light as a mode of inspiration Giselle · the making →

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayNov 20, 2025

New project. Soon to be unveiled….Giselle · the making →

Progress on Self Portrait "Animus"

Emma GarayNov 18, 2025

Hands painting hands Self Portrait "Animus" · the making →

Progress on Self Portrait "Animus"

Emma GarayNov 11, 2025

Second pass on the self portrait…Self Portrait "Animus" · the making →

Progress on Self Portrait "Animus"

Emma GarayNov 6, 2025

The stillness of the morning. Colour mixing assists me in my search for mental clarity and sets the tone for the rest of the day.Self Portrait "Animus" · the making →

Progress on Self Portrait "Animus"

Emma GarayNov 4, 2025

Blocking in a self portrait. Observing the light in a new space.Self Portrait "Animus" · the making →

October 20251 post

Progress on Giselle

Emma GarayOct 31, 2025

Creating idea/mood boards for potential paintings to be actualised in the upcoming months Giselle · the making →

Showing 22 posts by Emma GaraySee everyone's →

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