Emily Drane is a local artist with a passion for capturing and celebrating the buildings we love the most. From first date locations to first homes, engagement spots and wedding venues, Emily creates completely original artwork which make perfect gifts.
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How long have you lived in the area?
We moved to East Dulwich on a gloriously hot day in August 2018. I grew up just north of London and thought I would always be north of the river but my boyfriend Jamie coaxed me down and I’m a complete convert!
What do you most value about the area/street you live in?
Aside from the leafy, villagey feel I love this area for the beautiful buildings. I have always loved architecture and the history of places and I adore bringing the memories and stories to life through my art.
What’s the one thing you couldn’t do without?
Lordship Lane and its amazing independent businesses. My favourite weekend activity is mooching around the shops, and (in better times) indulging in the incredible food and drink scene.
What’s your favourite place to go for a drink?
We live a few doors up from the Great Exhibition and I miss it so much. Popping in for a glass of red on a winter’s Sunday or enjoying cold cider in the garden in the summer is my heaven and we are so lucky to have such a great pub on our doorstep.
The best kept secret…
Until lockdown, it was Dulwich Woods. I’d often head down there on a weekday with my dog Pickle and have it all to myself. It feels like you are in the middle of the countryside. It’s a bit busier now, but it’s still gorgeous.
When I want to relax…
It has to be yoga. I am a qualified yoga teacher and discovered Yoga Nidra (Yogic sleep) last year whilst on my training. It’s a form of very deep guided mediation that takes you to the place between being awake and being asleep. It is so therapeutic and rejuvenating and you must try it!
What is your favourite shop?
This is tough one because there are so many great shops. If I had to pick one it’d probably be Mrs Robinson – I can spend HOURS in there!
What was the last thing you bought there?
I bought an awesome hot pink woolly hat which came in very useful during that incredibly cold snap a few weeks ago!
If money was no object…
I would buy a property in Cornwall, a property in the northern French Alps and a property in East Dulwich in a heart beat! I would love to split my time between the hustle and bustle of the city and the incredible beauty of the coast and the mountains.
The book I’m reading at the moment..
I’m currently reading Three Women by Lisa Taddeo and I am loving it. It’s a fascinating look at female desire told through the stories of three women. The author spent eight years researching for the book, even moving across the US multiple times to live in the same communities as her subjects. It’s enlightening and empowering and I highly recommend it.
My perfect holiday…
My perfect holiday is being in the wild. My favourite places in the world are the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and the Giffre Valley in the French Alps. The Alps are great in the winter, but the summer is on a whole other level…
My secret ambition…
To become a full-time artist. I currently juggle my art with a 9-5 job in advertising but I can feel a more creative lifestyle calling me and this year it’s my aim to take the steps towards answering it.