BEHIND THE PALETTE SHOP
In 1955 Cecil and Ruth Collins opened up an art shop in their small town of Waycross, GA. Ruth had grown up in Munich, Germany and met Cecil while he was stationed there with the U.S. military. The young American soldier and German artist fell in love, were married, and began their family and life together. They eventually settled in Waycross with their five children. It turned out that Ruth wasn’t the only one with the artistic talent; Cecil shared both her passion and skill. The couple decided to pursue their creative talents further by opening their own shop to sell art supplies, custom frames, and art lessons. They named their art store The Palette Shop.
Fast forward to 2021 and you will find Emma’s art studio, The Palette Shop,
an homage to her grandparents’ original store, located on Amelia Island. Ruth and Cecil, being Emma’s paternal grandparents, played a crucial role in shaping her into the artist she is today, specifically her grandmother, Ruth. Emma was taught how to hold a paintbrush before she was taught how to hold a pen. It was evident early on that Emma had inherited these strong artistic genes. She learned to paint with oils, pastels, watercolors, and acrylics as she watched her grandmother through the years. She quickly came into her own as an artist, mixing her own style with the techniques and skills she had been taught by Ruth.
Emma continued painting through highschool, college, and her young professional life mainly as a beloved hobby. After much interest in a collection of beach inspired paintings, she began to sell pieces here and there. Word of mouth carried Emma’s paintings across the states. People were wanting to buy her work and so her beloved hobby morphed into a vision of something more. This vision has come to fruition through her own Palette Shop, where you can not only see her beautiful works of art, but her love for family, creativity, and cultivating relationships. The Palette Shop on Amelia Island showcases Emma’s art and
will also be hosting regular paint parties and private lessons.
