“She’s Emmy in Pink”

This article was originally published on Jan. 02, 2024, in the McCook Gazette.

McCOOK, Neb.- As the sun gently filters through her home office window, artist Emily Lytle, adorned in a vibrant pink sweater, sits at her desk surrounded by her artistic sanctuary. Her workspace harmoniously melds with her favorite hue, from the pink desk chair to the blinds and various accents, including an eye-catching pink Stanley mug. The influence of the iconic films "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink" is evident in the form of two cherished John Hughes movie posters on the wall behind her. Lytle even has a personal photo with Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy, the stars of her favorite film. With her striking red hair and affinity for pink, Lytle embodies her favorite movie's whimsical essence.

When asked about her business name, "Emmy in Pink," Lytle laughs and gazes at the inspiring movie posters. She fondly recalls her childhood spent watching John Hughes movies with her mom, with "Pretty in Pink" taking the top spot as her ultimate favorite.

A 26-year-old artist in McCook, Nebraska, Lytle sells her captivating art in Artist Alleys at Comicons. She graduated in May 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Graphic Design/Visual Communications. Lytle's artistic pursuits have been a lifelong passion, evident from the plethora of sketchbooks she keeps in storage. While primarily self-taught, her foray into digital art began at the young age of 13 when she acquired her first drawing tablet, drawing inspiration from the vast online community. As Lytle explains, digital art was still relatively niche back then but has since gained popularity, especially with the iPad and Apple Pencil now available. 

Her love for anime and video games led her to attend her first convention, "Anime Nebraskon,” at the age of 16, which proved to be a life-changing experience. Since then, she has been a regular attendee and developed a desire to participate as a vendor in Artist Alley. “I was just blown away by how you can make art and you can sell it to people and they will buy it. I didn't know you could do that.” she shared.

 Reflecting on her artistic journey, Lytle credits a pivotal moment when her previous boss, Bill Longnecker, also an artist, encouraged her to rediscover her artistic talents by showcasing employee artwork in-store. This rekindled her passion for drawing, encouraging her to pursue her art again.

In 2022, after the birth of her son, Lytle wanted to stay home with him. Her supportive husband agreed, under the condition that she wholeheartedly pursued her art. She affectionately describes her husband, Tanner, as her driver, muscle, and "Booth-Bae,” highlighting his important role in accompanying her to various shows and conventions. Together, they embark on exciting road trips, creating memories along the way.

Lytle bid farewell to her job at Longnecker Jewelry and in May of 2022 applied to the Artist Alley for Anime Nebraskon, securing a coveted spot at the convention taking place in October. The months leading up to the event were dedicated to preparing her artwork. Ever since her debut convention, she has experienced a surge in artistic output, surpassing certain periods of her life by creating more art within a year than ever before. Motivated by the positive experience, she continued applying to other conventions and has already participated in eight or nine, with more planned for the upcoming year.

Securing a spot in Artist Alley is highly competitive, with some shows operating on a first-come-first-serve basis, while others employ a juried entry process. Lytle has showcased her art at diverse conventions, ranging from small gatherings to larger events like Comic Cons and anime conventions. While she creates her original characters and concepts, she primarily considers herself a fan artist, creating art inspired by her favorite media. According to Lytle, conventions serve as a gathering of fans, making fan art a sought-after commodity.

Having participated in FanExpo Denver and other shows, Lytle managed to secure a repeat spot at FanExpo Denver this year, acknowledging the challenge of gaining entry. Additionally, she is set to attend Anime Nebraskon in the Omaha area and Planet Comicon in Kansas City in March. Participating in Artist Alley typically costs between $200 and $500 for booth rental at the conventions. 

When asked about her favorite piece, Lytle mentions "Midtown," a fan art piece based on the game Stray. Capturing the grungy, neon, cyberpunk atmosphere of the game, it holds a special place in her heart as one of her all-time favorites. She sells this piece as a holographic art print and even offers it as a plush blanket.

For those aspiring to venture into digital art, Lytle advises starting online, leveraging the vast resources and tutorials available on platforms like YouTube. She recommends using an iPad or tablet with a pen, citing her preferred tools. You can see more of Lytle’s work on her website emmyinpink.com. You can also follow her on Instagram, where she goes by emmy.lytle, and her YouTube channel: Emmy in Pink.