Jo Watters-Pawlowski East Sussex, United Kingdom

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In 1985 I graduated in textile design and printed surfaces. Following a solo career as a textile designer and printer I made a natural transition towards abstract painting in 1997. In 2021 I decided to leave a specialist teaching post to become a full time painter and establish my practice and professional presence. I live and work in Ditchling, East Sussex.

I am based in East Sussex, where I draw inspiration from studying the landscapes of the South Downs and other places. I allow gestural marks and colour to lend abstraction to an image, reflecting the subjective nature of experiencing a recognised landscape. I take notes using simple lines and sketches on location to use back in the studio. Using the sensory experience of being in a landscape, intuitively applying paint and building layers using brushes, pallet knives, or other mark-making tools to generate fresh and spontaneous ideas in response to my surroundings.

My textile design and printing background gave me a unique perspective on art. I primarily use oils to create a sensitive colour palette that perfectly captures a landscape's natural form, season, calmness, and rhythm. The subtle nuances in my work resemble recurring landmarks but are distorted, encouraging viewers to see beyond the obvious. My oil paintings become a gateway to feeling somewhere familiar, creating a unique emotional connection and allowing the viewer to feel like a part of the landscape.

I sell my paintings at my annual May Open House exhibition in Ditchling, Sussex. My studio is open by appointment.