North Yorkshire Artist

About Jo

Jo is a North Yorkshire Artist who has lived in the Yorkshire Dales all her life and is fascinated by all elements of the natural world, especially wildlife. She studied at Newcastle University and received an Honours Degree in Fine Art. Since obtaining her degree, she has had work accepted by various galleries in Yorkshire and the North East.  
 
Her love of art started at an early age – besides the drawing, painting and sculpture which she was naturally drawn to, her father had an old SLR camera which he allowed her to use, and Jo was fascinated by the many and various results she could get with differing compositions and light. Her interest in photography means that her camera is always at the ready to capture landscape and wildlife, inspiring her sometimes unusual pictures.  
 
Jo works predominantly in soft pastels, and loves the versatility that the medium offers. Her favourite brand is Unison Colour Soft Pastels, hand-made in Northumberland, due to their excellent quality and great colour range.  With the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors on her doorstep she has a wealth of inspiration on offer and uses the medium to create vibrant pictures, not only of British wildlife but also of a broad spectrum of landscapes inspired by the character and heritage of the area.

Studio

Jo works from her studio in Thirn, near Masham.  Please get in contact if you would like to arrange to look round or discuss a commission.   She stocks a large range of original work, prints and greeting cards.   

Jo also, takes part in North Yorkshire Open Studios each year, where over 100 North Yorkshire Artists open their studios to the public.  This happens on the first 2 weekends in June and you can find out more about that here. 

What is soft pastel?

Soft pastels are made from pure pigment mixed with a binder to hold them together.  Better quality pastels have a higher pigment to binder ratio so the colours are more vibrant.  Working with pastels is known as pastel painting and it has many similar qualitites to traditional painting but without the brush.  Pastels can be layered, mixed and blended on the surface and the overall effect can be very painterly.  Please get in contact if you would like to find out more about pastel painting. 

Jo is happy to do demonstrations or workshops to art groups so please get in touch if you would like to enquire about that.