Emily Claire Völker shares:

“I try to create work that makes people feel empowered to create change, protect our planet, and enjoy life in all its beauty. One of my core beliefs is that we are far more powerful than we think we are – I have learned this while being part of the global climate movement.

The people I work with as a climate activist are incredibly passionate, full of empathy, and in love with our planet. And although there is strong sense of community, this work can be draining, too – especially since so little seems to be happening so slowly, while the issue at hand is incredibly urgent: we are in a climate and ecological crisis.

So, with my work, I also aim to give emotional support to those who need an energy boost, a back-up friend full of positivity, and a reminder of how great, strange, and beautiful life actually is!

Most of my illustrations are created with watercolor, ink, and acrylic gouache. I love experimenting with different color schemes and working with elements of patterns, florals, and hand-lettering. I see life as an often wondrous and baffling experience, full of strange repetitions and beautiful serendipities – I hope that sense of wonder translates into my work.

I love what I am doing. Currently I am working on a few children’s book projects and a range of greeting cards, and am expanding my editorial portfolio. If you like my work and are looking for an illustrator, editorial designer, animator, pattern maker, or artist for children’s products, I would love to hear from you. I’m especially interested in and will donate my work to highlight environmental issues, the climate crisis, refugees, human rights, democracy, and feminism – and of course I’m also up for hanging out, sketching, chatting, and drinking coffee if you are in Berlin and that’s all you really want to do!”

Clare and Emily discuss their roles as mothers, artists, and activists in a world shaped by climate change