For 18-year-old Emily Dale, life on her family’s beef and poultry farm near Ballymena has provided more than just a connection to agriculture, it has become a source of inspiration for her art. Surrounded by animals and the countryside from a young age, Emily is now turning that lifelong passion into a creative career.

Growing up around busy farm life has brought Emily the inspiration to grow in her own artistic journey through the use of her paintbrush. The farm has always been more than just home for Emily; it has been a source of creativity, shaping the way she sees both the countryside and the animals around her. Emily’s appreciation for farm life is beautifully shown through her paintings.

“Living on a farm inspires me every day. I’ve always loved animals being around them, and the countryside has become such a big part of my life and has had a huge influence on me and my art.”

Alongside running the farm, a contracting business and a glamping site, Emily’s family have played an important role in encouraging her artistic ambitions. Her mum, Mary, and dad, Alastair, have always supported her passion for art, taking her to classes and workshops from a young age and giving her the opportunity to develop her skills and confidence.

Emily Dale with some of her artwork, featuring flowers and coastal scenes inspired by the countryside around her.

placeholder image — Emily Dale with some of her artwork, featuring flowers and coastal scenes inspired by the countryside around her.

“I have always been encouraged and supported by my mum and dad. I was taken to lots of art classes when I was younger, which gave me the confidence to keep painting.

“My mum has always been my biggest supporter. She has encouraged me to believe in myself and pushes me to be more confident with my artwork. My granny has also been a huge inspiration to me, she fulfilled her own love of art by painting local Carnlough scenes and attending art classes.”

That encouragement has continued as Emily takes the next step in her artistic journey, having recently been accepted to study Fine Art at Ulster University in Belfast. While university was not a path she had always expected to take, Emily says the opportunity has given her a new sense of excitement about where her art could lead.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve just been accepted into Ulster University to study Fine Art. I have always struggled in school and never thought university would be a path I would take, but I’m excited to see where it takes me.”

Emily Dale with her mum Mary, one of her biggest supporters, alongside some of her favourite Highland cow paintings.

For Emily, the animals she paints are more than subjects on a canvas. Having grown up surrounded by livestock and becoming particularly attached to the calves she raises, she draws on those personal connections when capturing their individual personalities and character.

“I have been surrounded by animals for as long as I can remember, and I love capturing their personalities and the connection I have with them. I get especially attached to the calves I raise, so they naturally become a big inspiration for my paintings.

“I also love the countryside and the natural beauty around me. Living on a farm means I get to experience that every day, and I think that shows in my work.”

For a young artist, building an audience can bring its own challenges. Emily has embraced the challenge of putting herself and her artwork online. Despite the difficulties that can come with promoting yourself, she has built a following of more than 2,000 people on TikTok, using social media to share her work and reach a wider audience.

Young artist Emily Dale in her art studio with some of her favourite pieces.

“As an artist nowadays, you have to be an influencer to show off your art for people to see. This is extremely challenging, and I’ve overcome lots of fears of putting myself out there.”

Emily also draws inspiration from the work of Irish artist Nigel Allison, whose paintings of Ireland’s coastlines, landscapes and rural life have influenced her own artistic development.

“Through GCSE and A-level art, I have always been inspired by local artist Nigel Allison.”

As Emily’s confidence and experience have grown, so too have the opportunities to share her work, with commissions now coming from customers beyond her local area.

A look inside Emily's art studio, where she works on her latest pieces.

“Everyone has been so supportive and I’ve recently had lots of commissions come in.

“Friends, family and new followers have been incredible and shown me so much support, with many of them trusting me to create and capture their animals.”

Looking further ahead, Emily hopes to open her own gallery someday and sell her work to audiences around the world. She has also had the opportunity to develop her skills through dog portrait work at the Armstrong Arthouse in Portrush, after owner Shawn asked her to create the portraits.

“In the next five years, I hope to have completed my degree in Fine Art. I want to be a full-time artist, selling my original work all over the world.”

From growing up on a farm to preparing to study Fine Art, Emily’s journey shows how a connection to agriculture can influence a career far beyond the farm gate. For her, the animals, landscapes and experiences of rural life that shaped her childhood are now helping to shape her future as an artist.

Emily shares her artwork and creative journey across Instagram, TikTok and Facebook under the username @emilydale__artt.