My name is Emma Richard (“ri-shard”). I’m an illustrator, graphic recorder, and community member based in Deshkan Ziibi, colonially known as London, Ontario. I live and work here on the traditional land of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples; land that is connected to the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. I’m a queer white settler of Irish, Italian, German, and French heritage.

Like a lot of us , I first connected with art as a kid. I danced, drew, painted, sang, and didn’t worry one bit about who it might be seen by or whether it was any good. Also like a lot of us, I lost touch with that artist over the years. I studied to be an engineer, and after realizing that was not the career for me, the arts slowly reeled me back in.

Today I connect my analytic engineer with my seven year-old artist to listen, intuit, and make sense of people’s ideas, and translate them into visual pieces. I do this both in real-time as a graphic recorder, and at a more measured pace as an illustrator. At the heart of my work, I aim to create visuals that, yes, look appealing, but that also lead to better communication and deeper understanding of the matters at hand, both within individuals and across larger groups. It is an endlessly interesting and deeply human practice of listening and creating. You can find out more about my work over in my Portfolio section.

Emma Richard