Fodder School Muse-of-the-Month: Emma Hudson
This month’s Fodder School Muse of the Month Emma Hudson is a mixed media artist, former art teacher, and lifelong creative living in Chelmsford, Essex, just outside London in the United Kingdom. With a background in fashion and textiles, special education, and daily creative practice, her artistic journey has been shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and a deep belief in the importance of making art without perfectionism.
Since joining Fodder School in 2022, she has embraced collage, mixed media art, daily creativity, and artistic exploration while sharing her creative journey online every single day.
Follow Emma on Instagram at @emmahudson370.
What part of the world do you currently live in?
I live in Chelmsford in Essex, United Kingdom, which is about 35 miles east of London.
When did your art or crafting journey begin?
Creativity has always been part of my life because I come from a very artistic and creative family. My dad is an artist, and my mum is incredibly creative too, so growing up there were always art and craft projects happening around the house.
As children, we were constantly encouraged to experiment, make a mess, and try different art mediums and techniques. Instead of Easter eggs, we were often gifted felt-tip pens, paints, and paper! I honestly cannot remember a time when art was not part of my everyday life.
At school, I was encouraged toward more academic subjects, so initially I didn’t continue with art at GCSE level. However, one day my art teacher, Mr. Warwick Man, saw my sketchbook and told me I could pursue A-Level Art. I still remember running all the way home in excitement.
From there, I completed a foundation course in art at Hull Polytechnic, where I especially loved fashion and textile design. I then earned a degree in Fashion and Textiles from Winchester School of Art.
I worked in fashion and textiles for several years before realizing something was missing creatively, which eventually led me to train as an art teacher. I loved teaching all ages, especially students who needed extra support, and later worked in a special needs school in East London where I led the art curriculum.
After getting married and having two daughters, I became a stay-at-home mum while continuing to create through drawing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, painting, jewelry making, and other crafts.
I later returned to education as a Special Educational Needs coordinator in a nursery school, where creativity remained a huge part of daily life.
In 2022, due to health issues, I had to stop working, which was incredibly difficult emotionally. Friends encouraged me to begin creating daily and sharing my work online as a way to rebuild a creative routine. I joined Instagram and have posted artwork every single day since March 1, 2022.
That daily practice completely changed my relationship with creativity. Posting consistently—whether I loved the result or not—freed me from perfectionism and allowed me to simply enjoy the process of making art.
Through Instagram, I kept seeing inspiring mixed media artists mentioning one thing over and over again: Fodder School.
How long have you been in Fodder School and what keeps you coming back each year?
I joined Fodder School in April 2022, and honestly, it has been life-changing for me.
There is always a new mixed media project, creative technique, collage idea, or art medium to explore. The constant inspiration keeps me curious and motivated creatively.
I’m also deeply grateful for the entire Fodder School community. Wendy and the teaching team create such a welcoming and encouraging environment for artists at every stage.
How has Fodder School influenced your creative journey or daily art practice?
Fodder School has had a huge impact on my daily creative practice.
When I committed to creating intentionally every day in March 2022, I had no idea how much my art journey would grow over time. Since joining Fodder School, I’ve experimented with new art mediums, color palettes, collage techniques, creative styles, and mixed media processes that I may never have explored otherwise.
Interestingly, many of the lessons I initially thought wouldn’t appeal to me became the ones that taught me the most because they challenged me creatively and encouraged me to stay open-minded.
Fodder School has helped me stay curious, inspired, and consistently creative, and for that I’m forever grateful.
What’s one project, technique, or lesson from FS that completely lit you up?
That question feels impossible—like choosing a favorite child or favorite biscuit!
One lesson I continually return to is Rebecca Chapman’s Polaroid Fodder Challenge 2024 lesson. I absolutely love her work, and collage is one of my favorite forms of creative expression.
That project continues to inspire me and reminds me how powerful simple collage techniques can be in mixed media art.
How would you describe the Fodder School community in three words?
Inspirational. Creative. Supportive.
One piece of encouragement for a brand-new student?
Just create.
Don’t wait until you have the exact same art supplies as the instructor, the perfect studio space, five uninterrupted hours, or every chore completed. Real life rarely lines up perfectly that way.
Instead, create with what you have, when you can, and let go of perfectionism. Some of the best creative discoveries happen when you simply allow yourself to begin.
Through daily creativity, mixed media experimentation, collage, and the encouragement of the Fodder School community, she continues to embrace an art practice built on curiosity, play, and creative freedom.
We’re endlessly inspired by our Fodder School superfans and the heart they bring to this community. Stay tuned for more spotlights!
