Emily Lanius is a contemporary artist residing on the island of Maui. Art is more than just passion for Emily - she creates because it is her kuleana, which is Hawaiian for “spiritual responsibility”. The foundation of Emily’s art practice is a connection to God, and every painting is a prayer.

In the words of her best friend, “Emily is a true renaissance woman.” In addition to her art practice, Emily is a classically trained ballerina and violist. She also graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 with a BSA in biology and a business minor. Emily works on an organic farm and teaches ballet and art. These other disciplines certainly influence Emily’s art.

Though she has explored various media, Emily’s favorite medium is acrylic pouring paint. She intentionally swirls the paint around with toothpicks rather than brushes, resulting in her melty, dreamy style. She loves pour paint because the swirly style conveys the interconnectedness of everything. She also loves tapping into her inner scientist by exploring new ways to use the medium.

Emily’s art was exhibited in the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s 2025 Biennial, a juried exhibition that showcased works from 45 artists across the state of Hawaii, out of a statewide open call of nearly 400 artists. Her artwork was also featured in Sabado Art Gallery in 2026.