Why I paint

I was always up to something creative as a kid from my colouring-in, to modelling clay and even that time I had a stone polisher to make "that's interesting" jewellery. I went on to study Fine Art at university, where I had an amazing time exploring pretty much everything but painting. I even had a go at being pretentious. It turns out that wasn't really me.

As soon as I had the space I found myself returning to paint, I loved the process and the journey from blank canvas to something that told a story and held a memory.

I'm largely self taught painter. I've always struggled with being told how to do things a certain way, and that eventually extended to my attempts over the last few years at doing art "properly".

Find a niche. Develop a recognisable style. Paint more of what sells.

Well... that was no flipping fun. So I stopped and had a word with myself.

I've accepted that I'm not a rinse-and-repeat kind of artist. Life changes, I change, and thankfully my paintings do too.

I paint when I feel good. That's rule number one, followed by when I have time.

One painting might come from a place I've visited, another from plants bobbing about in the wind, a feeling, a gorgous sunrise, a brilliant day I don't want to forget, or I just dive in and see where the materials take me.

I want my paintings to bring colour, energy and optimism into a room. We could all do with something that lifts us up especially on days when life just feels harder than it should be.

I hope my paintings give you a reason to smile, or simply remind you to notice the good stuff out there.

💙 Jo