About Jo Sheppard
Artist Statement
Eroded surfaces harbour a multitude of colours, forms and textures – patina enriches the plain, provides vibrant visual character, yet often remains missed or unnoticed by many. I frequently find myself seeking out man-made, architectural surfaces that have been tuned and weathered by nature and neglect. My interest in the decaying built environment is currently satisfied through an exploration of Mediterranean architecture and cityscapes. I find that the playfulness of colour and quality of light both contrasts and compliments the overarching theme in all my work of ‘disintegration'. The results of my painting explorations are mainly non-figurative and also non-literal. These are works that not only celebrate architectural tradition, but also celebrate its inevitable decay – man-made beauty embellished by time.
My interest in decay transcends man-made, architectural objects: the natural phenomenon of the fossil has always been of great interest to me. After studying the harsh lines and man-made features of crumbling facades, I find it refreshing to produce work inspired by nature – organic, yet ordered – complicated, yet simple – symmetrical, textural, old, disintegrating. The links between my two main themes, architecture and fossils, run deeper than may initially be apparent.
The majority of my paintings are created on canvas using colour washes, overlain with areas of impasto; whilst many of the fossil drawings utilise subtle pen and ink techniques. The initial stage of many works is akin to action painting, taking controlled risks and sometimes just relying on chance.The physical process of working with poured washes, dripping and splashing is unpredictable at worst and revelatory at best. Textural quality in my work is of considerable significance and I like to experiment with different techniques and media. For example, to recreate surfaces such as stone, I exploit a variety of techniques and materials, such as sand, wax, and sgraffito. A commonly used compositional technique includes the juxtaposition of large, loose colour washed areas with tighter, realistic features and embellishment. Whatever the subject matter, I make certain aesthetic judgments by removing the superfluous, and focusing on what is important at the time, to varying degrees of abstraction.
I find it intensely satisfying to acknowledge the beauty of things that are commonplace and randomly discovered. My intention as an artist is to raise the viewer's appreciation of the intricacies and beauty of decay – capture its idiosyncrasies at a particular point in time, forever.
Biography
I was born in Grimsby (North East Lincolnshire), UK in 1969. Following an art and design foundation I undertook a Degree in Fine Art at Coventry University, graduating in 1991.
It was during the degree course that I turned away from my main interest of photography, discovering a true passion for oil painting. As a consequence of visits to various European cities, I developed an interest in the ambiance characterised by strong architectural features, quality of light and patina created through decay. Creatively interpreting this became the focus of my work.
I trained to become a teacher of art in 1996, and found it an incredibly fulfilling and satisfying career move. However, teaching full time drained my creativity, leaving me with very little out of school. It wasn't until I took a parenthood career break that I was able to dedicate more time to painting- and that brings me to where we are today- looking after the little ones, painting whenever the opportunity arises.
Over the last few of years I have enjoyed being a member and active committee member of the Loughborough based art group ArtSpace which has enabled me to exhibit with likeminded contemporary artists. The highlight of my artistic career to date was to exhibit with the group in the 2005 Venice Biennale.
During 2007 I was delighted to receive a Creative Leicestershire Bursary to help finance two solo shows, both of which are due to be held in 2008. It was also during this year that I was elected to join the Leicestershire Society of Artists.
