Jo York's artwork usually comes from walking in the landscape. Getting out in the fresh air, in the natural environment has always been really important to her. Being there in all weathers; absorbing and responding to a sense of place, is at the heart of everything she does. Landscapes are full of layers; geological, and historical, industrial and personal - she likes the traces of what’s gone before and their complexity. When Jo paints, she is responding to all of this using a combination of observation, imagination and memory.

 

Jo is fascinated by mark-making and her process involves building multiple layers, using a wide range of materials and techniques. She particularly likes drawing back through layers of paint; sometimes using an electric sander or glass paper, bradawls, silicone wedges and etching needles.

 

Paintings usually start from studies, thumbnail drawings, colour swatches and notes in her painting notebooks/sketchbooks. She takes a lot of photographs, but in practice only use them occasionally to jog a memory or to check tonal contrast.