Newsletter: May 2021

Norber’s Erratics in the foothills of Ingleborough

To be honest, this month has mostly been about getting out and about; beginning to collect new ideas and inspiration, and I think maybe even a bit of a rest? I’ve worked pretty solidly through all the various lockdowns and Covid related stuff so far, and managed to be genuinely productive. But this month I felt really tired; exhausted even and was struggling to make any progress with work. For me the cure is to get out walking, and as things get easier it has been possible to get out in the hills, nearby which is wonderful. I’m planning longer trips later this year, but for now watching the waterfalls in the Teesdale countryside, and scrambling up rocky passages to look out over the wide open landscape near Ingleborough, has been just amazing! The shot above shows some of Norber’s Erratics, a series of fascinating rock formations created by the massive flows of melting ice at the end of the last Ice Age. They are monumental and intriguing, some perched on Limestone plinths, and others with gaps and fissures which frame the landscape beyond.

Studio wise, I’ve been mulling over sketchbooks, playing with colour and trying out some new ideas….a lot of these are too early stages to share just yet, but things are beginning to move, and I’m sitting surrounded by the evidence of paint and papers, mediums, brushes and all the rest!

I’ve been trying out a new App for artists to visualise their work in room settings; it’s ’Smartist’ App. So far I’m liking it very much; its so simple to use and the sets are nice. I’ve never felt ready to subscribe to one of these, but the free version of this one really is pretty good, although the downside of course is that there are only a few room sets. I quite like the example below as it has a soft light and sense of texture which really helps I think…

My painting Reflections: Early Winter in a room set via Smartist App

Last month I mentioned that I was going through Cornish sketchbooks and had started making some work based on drawings and notes in them.

Following on from Rhythm of Rocks and Water, but in the same little series, I’ve recently finished a 46 cm cradled panel called Blue Zawn. Walking along the Atlantic Coast of Cornwall, you often come across deep and narrow inlets with steep rocky cliffs…in the South West of the UK they’re often called Zawns, although in the Cornish Language the word relates more to a fissure or even a cave in the rocks. Either way, I love both the landscape and the name, hence the name of this piece.

I have a couple of key approaches or styles I suppose, although they really are all linked, but this little series of works relates not just to the subject matter of Cornwall and its rugged coast, but also to my liking of a lot of Cornish inspired work, especially that of the St Ives School…I particularly like Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron, Wilhelmina Barns Graham, and Paul Feiler, who was working in that area around Zennor at the same time but never became a part of the group. Nevertheless he was an amazing artist who continued to push boundaries and develop his work right up until his death.

Blue Zawn

46cm Cradled panel with textured and glazed acrylics and incised drawing marks.

Blue Zawn incorporates a couple of viewpoints, looking over the edge from the cliff above. I’m trying to suggest the steep craggy cliffs, the movement of swirling water, and the rhythm of boulder shapes below…I hope you like it!

This one is very textured, but still uses layer upon layer of opaque and translucent paint.

Texture detail from a section of Shallow Waters

Also hot off the studio wall is this 41cm canvas which follows on in the same themes…this one is called Shallow Waters, and comes from studies of the same part of that Atlantic Coast of Cornwall. Here I’m looking at layers of greenish blue water, boulders and rock pools, with distant headlands melting into the sky.

Shallow Waters

41cm Square canvas, made in many layers of textured and opaque paint with glazes over.

Both paintings are currently available, so do use the contact form or email: joyorkart@hotmail.com if you would like to know more!

*I’m also delighted to be part of a rather wonderful series of conversations with contemporary artists working in Yorkshire and the North. The conversations are hosted by Johnny Messum and Messums Online, as part of their Northern Voices series. Messums have amazing galleries in London, Wiltshire and up here in Harrogate, and their online programme features some really interesting talks and conversations.

I know this comes fairly hot on the heels of the Authentic Obsessions Podcast I did, but this conversation ranges over different aspects and I’d love you to have a listen when you’ve got time! The link to Spotify shown below, is the easiest way to listen- we were talking all things art, artists and Yorkshire too!

WIP in the studio: This is a small section from quite a large painting on a metre squared canvas I have on the go at the moment; it’s inspired by the landscape around Grimwith Reservoir, so pretty close to home, and incorporates many layers of colour. Loads still to do, but just a hint of my next little collection!

**Don’t forget to pop in to Bils and Rye in Harrogate if you get the chance, where you can see some of my recent work and much more besides. If you can’t get to Harrogate in the North of the UK, you can also visit Bils and Rye online where I have an artist page.

Well that’s all from me this month. I hope you’re all keeping well, and that things are getting easier wherever you are.

Thanks so much to all my new Newsletter subscribers; I really appreciate your interest in my work and my artist process!

Meanwhile take good care and keep in touch,

Jo x

*All text and images copyright Jo York 2021