Born into a family of artists in Paisley in 1975, Emma studied Fine Art Drawing & Painting at The Glasgow School of Art and graduated in 1998 with a BA (Hons).

She exhibited in galleries throughout Scotland during her studies, which concluded in a sell-out degree show.

Emma was the youngest ever recipient of the Alexander Graham Munro Travel Award at the RSW Annual Exhibition in 1999, which allowed her to travel and paint extensively in Italy the following year.

She was elected an artist member of the RSW in November 2001. Since then, she has won several prestigious awards, most recently the coveted PAI William and Mary Armour Award.

In 2002 Emma was awarded the Sir William Giles art award at the RSW annual exhibition.

In 2012 she was awarded the Diploma of the Paisley Art Institute.

Her work is included in many private and corporate collections around the world.