Why I paint

I've been creating for as long as I can remember. The monster was unleashed when I won a colouring competition at four. Hello, art world.

I went on to study Fine Art at university and, well... I had a go at being pretentious. It turns out that wasn't really me.

Then I tried 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.

These days I paint when the mood takes me. Thankfully, that's usually when I'm relaxed, content and full of good energy. One painting might come from a place I've visited, another from plants bobbing about in the wind, a brilliant day I don't want to forget, or a colour combination that simply won't leave me alone.

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

Life throws enough at us already. I want my paintings to bring colour, energy and optimism into a room. We could all do with something that lifts us up  after a long day.

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

💙 Jo