About Jo's Work
The majority of my paintings are created on canvas using colour washes, overlain with areas of impasto. The initial stage of many works is akin to action painting, taking controlled risks and sometimes just relying on chance. The physical process of working with poured washes, dripping and splashing is unpredictable at worst and revelatory at best. Textural quality in my work is of considerable significance and I like to experiment with different techniques and media. For example, to recreate surfaces such as stone, I exploit a variety of techniques and materials, such as sand, wax, and sgraffito. A commonly used compositional technique includes the juxtaposition of large, loose colour washed areas with tighter, realistic features and embellishment. Whatever the subject matter, I make certain aesthetic judgments by removing the superfluous, and focusing on what is important at the time, to varying degrees of abstraction.
I find it intensely satisfying to acknowledge the beauty of things that are commonplace and randomly discovered. My intention as an artist is to raise the viewer's appreciation of the intricacies and beauty of life, decay and our world and how it is fine-tuned over time- a glimpsed moment captured in time
Brief Biography
Jo grew up in North East Lincolnshire.
Degree in Fine Art at Coventry University (graduating 1991).
PGCE (Art and Design), University of Central England (1996).
Self-employed artist, adult education tutor and workshop leader since 2003.
Member of Loughborough Artspace since 2005.
Elected onto Leicester Society of Artists 2007.
Has tutored Hoby Art Group weekly since 2010.
Worked as a WEA art tutor from 2007 to 2014.
Works at Loughborough University as an art tutor (since 2014).
Exhibits frequently throughout the midlands in solo shows, small and large group shows, and holds open studio events twice a year.