About Me

I was born and brought up on the Wirral, the place I returned to after completing a B.Ed Hons. in Art and Design at Lancaster University, specialising in oil painting.

This was followed by nearly two years of an incredible journey across Central and Southern America and Asia, and a peculiar year in West Wales.

I fell into silversmithing in Wales and became an apprentice to a local jeweller. On returning to the Wirral I subsequently took three further years of training in jewellery design. It has taken me a while to work out that although silversmithing was satisfying, the lengthy design and labour intensive process involved hindered my creativity. This equally applied to my formal art training. I have abandoned those long winded design techniques I once adopted and consequently work in a much freer more spontaneous way.

Over time I have learned to trust my intuition. Spontaneity is now key to my work which enables my paintings to develop and almost take on a life of their own. I find this process immensely satisfying and find stimulation and inspiration in almost everything. Thus a myriad of materials are used, ranging from sand and leaves to bits of discarded drinks cans and other unusual debris. These textural elements have become an integral to my work.

I hope you enjoy looking. Please don’t hesitate to pass on your comments to me.
Many thanks and much love, Jo.