Emily C-D (b. 1983) is an illustrator, muralist, and collager of constructions made with the things other people throw away. By finding color, rhythm, and beauty in forgotten objects and spaces, Emily’s art is a celebration of the chaotic, the complex, and the unexpected. The fleeting nature of much of her work is implicit in the inevitable deterioration of her repurposed materials, but also reinforces her intention to bring people into the present through the experience of temporary creative acts.

Originally from Maryland and based in Mexico for the past five years, Emily has worked with diverse communities on both sides of the border to transform abandoned lots, walls, floors, fences, bridges, and rivers. Recently, motherhood has motivated Emily to return to her childhood dream of illustrating books, drawing on past and current community projects as inspiration for the stories and art. Her hope is that the work inspires young people to see themselves as potential artists who can make a meaningful contribution to their world.