Emma Dunbar was born in England in 1961 and graduated in 1984 with a BA(hons) in Fine Art Printmaking from West Surrey College of Art and Design.

Since her graduation, she has been fully immersed in her career as an artist, exhibiting her works across the UK. Her captivating paintings have gained international recognition and have been reproduced as greetings cards, posters, limited edition etchings, and even fabric designs.

Dunbar's passion for art is driven by her desire to capture the essence of a place or object, prioritising the feeling and essence over visual accuracy. She has a keen eye for vivid colors and finds beauty in the decorative qualities of everyday items.

Her sources of inspiration are diverse, from her daily dog walks to holidays and even mundane trips to the supermarket. Landscapes, changing seasons, and simple colour combinations such as bright green grass contrasting with a blue-grey sky, or the silhouettes of moored boats in a harbour, ignite her creativity. She often finds motivation in the patterns on packaging or the sight of flowers on a table, and she continually seeks new mugs that might make their way into her next painting.

Dunbar primarily employs acrylic on board for her artwork, occasionally integrating collage with gold and silver leaf. Her background in printmaking is evident in her use of flat colour blocks and her technique of scratching through surfaces to reveal previously applied colours underneath.

She cites her travels in India, holidays in Cornwall, and the unpredictable moments of cats and children wandering onto wet paint as influences. Additionally, she draws inspiration from the works of renowned artists like Mary Fedden, Milton Avery, and Daphne McClure.