PENCIL IT IN. Emily Lau’s first solo collection, “Pencil Pusher: Emily’s Eclectic Ladies,” to be held at Racy D’lenes Coffee Lounge (404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire) intends to convey a larger narrative of isolation and its preconceived notions, while also leaving room for mystery and interpretation. (Illustrations by Emily Lau)

Emily Lau, an Eau Claire illustrator and sketch artist, will soon unveil her latest gallery installation in partnership with Racy D’lenes Coffee Lounge (404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire). On display from Feb. 16 through June of this year, “Pencil Pusher: Emily’s Eclectic Ladies” will showcase Lau’s collection of nuanced female imagery.

“I love the more relaxed atmosphere of Racy’s … as I feel it’s much easier to converse with others,” Lau said. “This will be my first solo show and to be honest, I’m not sure what to expect.

“The only expectation I have is that it will help build my confidence to share my work more publicly and hopefully meet more like-minded people,” she continued.

Lau’s forthcoming collection intends to convey a narrative while also leaving room for mystery and interpretation, as with many of her previous illustrative work, she said.

"Artistic expression is innate in all humans." 

EMILY LAU

LOCAL ARTIST

“I don’t always spell everything out for the viewer and love to hear how others interpret my work – while also incorporating lots of detail,” Lau said. “Whether it be how a character’s hair is styled or the environment I draw them in, I like creating enough of a picture that draws (pun intended) the viewer in and gets their curiosity going.”

Lau, who holds a degree in illustration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, recalled having a pencil or pen in hand since early childhood. It was through her elementary education where she had the opportunity to explore different art mediums from sculpting to stained glass, painting and drawing.

An image by Emily Lau, pictured above, that will be on display in “Pencil Pusher: Emily’s Eclectic Ladies” at Racy's this February. The sketch draws from an original image Lau created nine years prior. (Illustration by Emily Lau)

“When I was in third grade, I decided to draw all of the teachers in the school on dot matrix printer paper and had my mom make copies for each teacher,” Lau said, reflecting on a story from her childhood. “Some of them still have that drawing to this day.”

Ultimately, illustrations and sketches charted Lau on a course of self-expression and creativity into adulthood. Today, Lau’s sketches (which have also appeared on the cover of Volume One) emphasize intricate character details to convey her unique artistic voice.

Each of her characters has their own narrative, often highlighted by cascades of enveloping hair, Lau said. The same style of characterization will be found in her show at Racy’s.

“Drawing hair is easily one of my absolute favorite things,” Lau said. “I tend to draw big, sometimes psychics-defying hair and that is definitely highlighted in this show.”

Another core theme of her forthcoming installation will be the social constructs of isolation and – in turn – flipping the switch on the preconceived notions of detachment in imagery.

“Isolation doesn’t always have to be in a negative context,” Lau said. “Sometimes it’s liberating, angry, depressing, the list goes on. I want to invite (viewers) into the scene that I have created.”

Previously, Lau has participated in group art installations throughout downtown Eau Claire. Many have been curated by the ArtFly collective and have been seen at Black Kettle Tea Shoppe & Boutique (217 N. Barstow St.), The Beyond (218 N. Dewey St.), the Pablo Center (128 Graham Ave.) among other venues in the Chippewa Valley.

To complement the gallery, an artist reception will be held from 6-8pm on Monday, March 23 at the coffee shop.

Lau’s vision for her artistic career – whether through the installation at Racy’s or future collections with area artists – is rooted in interpersonal discovery and a desire to reveal the joys of creation with others.

“Artistic expression is innate in all humans,” Lau said. “You don’t have to be a master artist to create something beautiful. Heck, you don’t even have to create with the intention of sharing it with anyone other than yourself.”

“Pencil Pusher: Emily’s Eclectic Ladies,” an art installation by Emily Lau, will be on display at Racy D’lenes Coffee Lounge (404 Riverside Ave., Eau Claire) from Feb. 16 through June 8. Check out Lau's latest artistic creations through her Instagram (@EmilyMLau29) and YouTube (Emily M Lau - Never Stop Drawing).