Emily Kraemer

Year of birth: 1990.
Where do you live: Arizona, U.S.
Your education: Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology.
Describe your art in three words: Profound, Provocative, Playful.
Your discipline: Mix Media, Blackout Poetry.
Instagram

Emily Kraemer | Good Girl

Can you tell us about the journey that led you to create blackout poetry? What drew you to this particular medium?

What really drew me to blackout poetry is the logical and creative nature of the medium. It feeds both sides of my brain, like combining a word search and a coloring book. I’ve used art as a key aspect of my mental health journey, and blackout poetry really stimulates a type of joy that you can only find through creating

How do you approach selecting the text you work with? Are there specific themes or sources you prefer to explore?

I use a wide range of works – mostly books – to find the text I work with, and I really let the pages speak to me. Often there are words and phrases that jump off of the page at me, and the flow state takes over. The themes almost always align to my experiences and my personal mental health journey. I aim to be an advocate for mental health, and I try to reflect that in my work so people can have an open honest conversation about their own journeys.

Emily Kraemer | Desert Haze

What is your process like when transforming a page of text into a piece of blackout poetry? Could you walk us through your creative routine?

First and foremost in my creative routine is my headspace. My mindset at the time is what, I think, makes certain words speak to me. My brain is always searching for a way to express itself, and once I channel that headspace, the word search follows. Usually 2-3 key words or phrases really resonate with me, and I find a way to connect them to invoke true meaning in my poem. Once I have a solid and meaningful message, the creative side takes over. I often try to make the artistic aspect of the piece reflect the message – from bold and bombastic, to subtle and stirring.

How do you balance the visual and textual elements of your work? How do you ensure both parts contribute to the overall message?

Balancing the visual and textual elements can be challenging at times, because the visual element is always what captures the attention first. I’ve found that visuals really draw people in, and it’s the text that truly resonates with people. And often, people are curious about the text because of the dynamic “word mapping” on the page which I always try to showcase in every piece. 

Emily Kraemer | Motivation

How do you incorporate the concept of mental health and joy into your pieces? What role does this play in your artistic vision?

I always try to focus on mental health and the human experience in all of my pieces, trying to make universal – and at times controversial –  issues a focal point. And in doing that I hope to inspire joy – the joy of being mutually understood, the joy of curiosity, the joy of seeing a new creation on an existing page. I want to share with people that mental health matters, and it’s ok not to be ok, that you can be and are seen. And being seen can spark joy in others.

Your business, eek.ink, promotes “mentally chill art.” How do you define “mentally chill” in the context of your work?

I use the tagline “mentally chill” in my business as a way of re-framing the concept “mentally ill.” I love play-on-words, and to be mentally chill in my mind is to accept who you are and your struggles, and to love all aspects of what makes you inherently “you.” And when you reach that acceptance and self-actualization you truly can become “mentally chill.” That is a big reason why I try to put mental health at the forefront of all of my pieces, to tell people it’s ok to be who you are – don’t shy away.

Emily Kraemer | In Good Company

What kind of reaction do you hope to provoke in your audience when they view your blackout poetry pieces?

I really want to stir the soul in my pieces. I want to resonate with people. I want to show people that even if I don’t know you, I can empathize with you. I want people to feel seen and heard when they view my pieces. I want to provide a mental safe space for deeper thoughts. I want people to know it’s ok to struggle, and I want to encourage people to continue on their personal mental health journeys. Art is expression, and I want to express a loving kindness to anyone who views my work.