In a world overflowing with typed minutes and online slides, Gosport stands out for its people who quietly make a difference, and one of them does it with pens, paper, and a burst of creativity. Meet Emma Paxton, the visual facilitator who turns conversations into colourful, illustrated maps. With an instinct for clarity and a love of community, Emma brings meetings to life and helps shape Gosport’s ideas in a way few others can.
For nearly a decade, Emma has been transforming conversations, training sessions and local consultations into bold visual maps of ideas. And while she works with national organisations, from children’s services teams to fire services, her heart, she says, is firmly in Gosport.
“I love Gosport. I’ve lived here about 20 years. Fareham, where I grew up, is more spread out. But here? There’s a huge community spirit.”
From secretarial college to creative entrepreneur
Emma’s journey into visual communication wasn’t straightforward. In the 1980s she trained at secretarial college, learning shorthand and audio typing, which are skills that she still relies on today to hold information and listen with precision. A move into event management followed, with 20 years running conferences across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight working closely with speakers to refine their presentations.
But beneath the spreadsheets and schedules was a frustrated artist.
“I loved art as a kid. I would have gone into graphic design, but I was told there was no money in art. I lost that creativity for a long time.”
Emma’s path to becoming a graphic recorder didn’t happen overnight, but one conversation changed everything. During a workshop she was running, someone mentioned visual facilitation. The idea sparked something immediately. She realised there was a way to combine her organisational and facilitation skills with the creativity she’d put aside years earlier.
Intrigued, she began reading, researching, and practicing. The more she explored, the more it made sense.
“I realised I could take all those skills, of listening, capturing key ideas, structuring information, and bring the drawing back. It was hand-drawn graphic design, done in real-time.
With a new direction in sight and a renewed sense of purpose, Emma decided it was time. She focused her energy into becoming a Graphic Recorder, eager for flexibility, freedom, and the chance to build something truly unique.
The birth of a visual practitioner
With no formal UK training available at the time, Emma forged her own path by devouring books, practicing at friends’ events, and connecting with an international network of early adopters. In 2016 she helped organise the first UK gathering of visual practitioners, marking a turning point for the field.
Why pictures matter
Emma describes herself as a graphic recorder, capturing meetings live, or a visual facilitator, helping groups communicate, remember and collaborate.
“When you see and hear something at the same time, you embed knowledge. People listen harder because they’re wondering what I’m drawing. Then they look back later and instantly remember what was said.”
Emma’s sketches are fast, focused and deeply thoughtful.
“It’s scary sometimes, but it’s an honour to get it right. You’re representing what people think and feel.”
Emma also provides digital illustration and her client list is wide-ranging: trauma-informed expert Dr Karen Treisman, Sussex Fire and Rescue, children’s services teams and local authorities, like Gosport Borough Council. She’s illustrated books, created vision posters and turned dense policy into engaging visuals.
Helping Gosport see itself
While she works nationally, Emma speaks most proudly about her local projects.
“I have visually mapped regeneration conversations at Royal Clarence Yard, supported Gosport Entrepreneur Week, contributed to TEDx by drawing what the speakers were saying in real-time, and helped create Gosport Ambassador materials,” she says.
“Visuals make information accessible. People are drawn to images. It gives everyone a voice.”
Last year, Emma teamed up with Hampshire Cultural Trust to create “Last Orders”, which is a board game that celebrates Gosport’s historic pubs and is packed with local facts and hand-drawn charm. A copy sits proudly in the town library.
Inspired by the place she calls home
Emma says that she doesn’t just work in Gosport, but Gosport inspires her work.
“Sometimes I just take my iPad and sit in a shelter by the sea. Or go to the library or YourSpace. A change of scenery keeps me creative, and there are so many beautiful spots in Gosport.”
Advice for creatives
After finding her way back to art later in life, Emma offers heartfelt advice to anyone wanting to pursue art as a career. “Follow your creative dreams. If you can’t do it full-time yet, then keep it alive in the background and never stop practicing.
Looking ahead
Approaching her tenth year in business in February, Emma hints at something exciting to celebrate the milestone. Whatever she does, one thing is certain: her pens and her passion for Gosport, will be at the centre of it.