Artists Statement | Artist Biography | CV and notes
Artists Biography
Jo started at an early age with art and textile making and acting, taught to draw, sew and crochet by her mother as a child. Encouraged by the same nurturing force to involvement with theatre workshops and local amdram. Just as likely to be found potato printing her own fabric on the kitchen table as making cellophane stained glass windows for family friends she was a happy child who loved her art, fabric and being in nature.
Throughout school people suggested that she "should go into fashion" because of her tendency to make her own clothes to rather individual designs (cre ating her own "hard times" in her teens long before it hit the magazines and stores). A teenage dislike for following fashion and a bemusement at those who did so slavishly (and a childs wilful determination not to be told what to do) saw her refuse this suggestion and after A level art and A level Textiles and Dress study she explore her art further at Coventry (Lanchester) Polytechnic and found creative art and the use of textiles a natural home.
With acting or dance usually somewhere in her life (except during a few short depressive periods) she has been an Equity member for some years, and still works as actress when opportunity presents whether it be interesting short films or remunerative corporate work, she also enjoys character artists model work with her partner.
After escaping and unhealthy 'day job' period she healed with work as gardener where she particularly loved opportunities for living sculptures which took time to respond. Specialising in reshaping overgrown shrubs into healthy forms and interesting vistas with a gardener artists eye. Building on her own experience of depression she learnt more about mental health issues and added degree level training as a life coach to her repetioire of skills to call upon whilst escaping the corporate world, and RHS qualifications to her supporting skills for garden creativity.
Living and working in the middle of beautiful rural Devon. Working in mixed creativity as an artist and maker; dancer and gardener, sometimes falling back on past experience to step up as a life coach or dance teacher.
Jo now uses all ner varied experiences to fuel her art.
One motivation is to spread understanding and acceptance of mental health issues as normal challenges many of us face, which can if approached healthily bring wisdom and benefits of self knowledge. She sees many mental health issues as potentially created by conflicts between the souls original dreams and the demands of modern life. To this end reconnecting with our deeper self and finding new creative ways to reconcile those dreams with an existence in the modern world, through self knowledge and connection to nature, can bring great resolutions to many. Even if we aren't aware of issues, connecting more deeply with nature can help stave them off and make us stronger.
Sometimes her work presents the issues, sometimes the natural beauty, sometimes both. She aspires to produce varied pieces which challenge and stimulate awareness and feeling, and also offer natural connection and healing within their textural riches.
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*red brown jumbo cord
* light-medium weight black, charcoal or dark brown fabrics
* white cotton(/poly) (torn sheets?) for cutting into strips
* small floral prints
*ivory/cream lacy fabrics
* candlewick bedspreads
* night dresses (especially cotton/old fashioned)
* brocade curtains (old fashioned quite heavy fabric) especially bright colours, but muted or natural colours also welcome.
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