June has been weird; hot, cold, stormy, humid-basically you name it, and we’ve had it weather-wise. All around us everything has gone really lush, wildflower meadows are in full bloom, and we’ve had a whole series of amazing skies; dramatic with scudding clouds. Paths that were rocky and bare are now covered in grass and flowers and buzzing with bees and small butterflies.

After any sort of hiatus or change, it really helps to spend some time reviewing work, looking back and working out which areas you want to focus on…for me there are usually loads of possible ideas; things that you could develop, the trick is sorting out which ones to go for, and which to leave on the back burner, at least for now. I find spending some time making notes, writing a little and often drawing thumbnails is really helpful.

I also use a tech tool called Trello, which I really like….thanks to Laura Horn, who recommended it in one of her podcast episodes. Trello (available for laptops, computers and as an app for iPads, phones etc…) allows you to organise work into boards, which you can add cards to….great way to record work, make notes etc…in a user friendly and intuitive way-I think most people use it as a way of collaborating with a group of people, but I just make mine private, so only I can see it. Best of all, so long as you don’t exceed the board limit, it’s free! Below are screenshots from my Trello, behind each image you can make any number of notes, reminders, record size of work, media, gallery or shows, whatever you fancy…

When I’m deep in this reviewing/ planning process, I often sit down with my sketchbooks, laptop propped up with Trello and my photos open and a hardback notebook I use to make notes, swatches and thumbnail composition ideas. I used to do these on scraps of paper, thinking this was a great way of using up bits of paper trimmed off work etc….but the truth is I often lost the bits I needed, which was so frustrating and such a waste of time and energy!

So the upshot of all this reviewing is that I’ve reworked a painting from back in the Autumn; just a few tweaks really, but I think they’ve made all the difference. This is a painting inspired by walking around Studley Royal Deer Park. When I was walking there, I noticed that there are bands of horizontal light under the trees, which make a really interesting effect. This is caused by the way the deer graze all the trees to the same height, anyway, I think I might return to this and make some more paintings on this theme.

All the Leaves. 76 cm x 76 cm Multi layered acrylics on canvas

I also tweaked an abstract piece I shared last month, which also needed a little adjustment…I wanted to emphasise the Gorse bushes which are contorted up here, high up in this windy exposed area.

I love this trolley!!

When I started writing, I didn’t think I’d got much done this month, but actually it has been really busy! The studio is properly bedding in now, and I’m getting a real handle on the best ways of using the space. I really love this Ikea trolley-in a small space like this it absolutely earns its space…I use it to hold all my mediums, when I’m painting I keep my palette, water spray and tools on top, and I can even use it to hold a canvas as here when I’m gesso-ing or varnishing, and need a flat space that I can get around.
Painting wise, I’ve returned to my theme of new very local walks in Nidderdale, and finished a couple of small canvases that just needed some final adjustments. I’ve been fascinated by a very particular grey light we’ve been having so I’ve also made a completely new piece, playing with this idea in a very softly atmospheric style. I tend to work on a group of small pieces and then I’m itching to work large, which is just what’s happened here….there is something about working larger that helps with more expansive gestural mark-making, and just has a very special pleasure! The paintings below are some of my new Nidderdale pieces:-
On the left: ‘A Quiet Day’ and on the right a new large canvas, section from work in progress.

Just thought I would add this short video update with me talking through all things new studio and new work…just click the arrow below:)

All the work shown will be available soon, so do get in touch via the contact page or by emailing me on: joyorkart@hotmail.com

Thank you so much for all the lovely messages and feedback, keep in touch and let me know if there’s anything you would like me to cover, or would like to know.

Until next month take good care, all very best,

Jo xx

Newsletter: June 2022

Newsletter: July 22

Newsletter: May 2022