Bio

Emma Jacobs

Emma Jacobs is a Cork-based visual artist, specializing in oil painting in a Contemporary Realism style. She is inspired by everyday life; painting faces and places she encounters. Known for her bold brushstrokes, big canvasses, and happy, upbeat colours, Emma has a distinct style that reflects her positive and confident energy. Not shy to tackle any subject matter, she particularly enjoys large portraits, animals, florals, and landscapes. She draws up her images from her reference photos, and activates her canvasses in a unique way, using ink runs, a vibrant acrylic wash, combined with a painting process that creates beauty and order out of the chaos of the underpainting.

Emma is originally from South Africa and moved to Ireland with her family in June 2021 to Cork. Her career background is in Learning & Development and Hospitality, having owned 5-star, art-themed B&Bs in Durban.

Referring to herself as a “re-born Artist”, Emma returned to her passion for art in 2016, when she started Oil Painting classes, attended workshops in portraiture, and landscape. She quickly honed her craft and joined a group of practicing artists at Studio 3. She had her own Emma Jacobs Art gallery at their flagship B&B in Durban, and she was the Founder of Durban Art Workshops, where she combined her passion for people and art. Her first solo exhibition was in March of 2020 at The Foyer in Durban.

Since moving to Ireland, Emma has participated in Kinsale Art Weekend annually, Showcase Kinsale, and Ballymaloe Craft Fair. She was the Artist in Residence at The Address Hotel and has participated in various group exhibitions.

Emma held her first solo art exhibition in Ireland in April/May 2024 at The Hideout Café and Art Gallery in Cork City, followed by an exhibition in August at Cork Airport. In April of 2024, Emma left her senior management role at a 4-star Cork hotel to pursue her Creative Entrepreneur path full-time. In the first half of 2025 she had solo exhibitions at The Grey Heron, West Cork, and the prestigious Kinsale Library. Emma is available for private and corporate commissions and art classes.