Newsletter: December 2023

Hi Everyone!

This is a short one, as I’m definitely winding down for Christmas, but I wanted to wish you all a very happy and peaceful holiday, and a wonderful and creative 2024!

I’ve had a busy month sorting some work for a couple of shows which happen literally just after Christmas, so I thought I really should give you all a heads up. Both are shows I’m really delighted to be part of; the first is at The Witham in Barnard Castle and titled ‘We Need To Talk About Landscape’-it features work by Jill Campbell, Susie Dugdale, Richard Gray, Keith Alexander and me, and it opens on the 29th January, so I’ll write more about it next month….I just want to say how happy I am to be in such great company!

I’m also absolutely delighted to be showing with Silson Contemporary again, in their Winter/ Spring Show which also starts at the end of January-again more info: to come next month, but I know it will be one to watch!

I haven’t had a lot of painting time, but have very much enjoyed making these teeny jewel-like abstract landscape paintings…each one is a one off piece, mounted on a solid wood block and around 15cm square. They have deep sides which continue the painting, and they stand beautifully on a shelf. Some of this little series will be available from Silson Contemporary and some will be available direct from my website, towards the end of January. My lovely subscribers will get first access, so watch this space!

To tell the truth I’ve found myself needing to slow down, and intend to get a bit of a break from now over Christmas and New Year…

One of things that isn’t often fully recognised, is how tiring being creative can be. If you think about it, it isn’t really surprising at all…creating something from nothing is actually pretty tough. The other thing I do know is that sustaining a creative practice in isolation is genuinely extremely difficult, which means I particularly value my artist friends; both those I know in ‘real life’ and those I’ve met through Instagram.

So I guess this is by way of a little plea; please keep following living artists and makers whose work you like, engage with their posts and help them grow and develop-Instagram is often the best way to do this, so go on; follow some creatives and let their art, music, writing, photography or whatever enrich your lives in the process. Above all though, focussing on creativity is a very positive antidote to all the dreadful and distressing news that’s going on in the World at the moment.

I also want to say a really big and very heartfelt thank you to all my lovely subscribers; I love receiving your feedback, suggestions and comments, and your messages mean a huge amount to me. Please keep them coming next year!

The painting above is currently on the studio wall…it’s about the dramatic skies, and open vistas we get up here in Nidderdale…and this one comes from an early walk when the sky was overhung with deep dark shadowy cloud, and the land underneath was deserted and tinged still with warm colour. I may still tweak it, but it’s going to be called Spirit of the Moor.

I wanted to convey the sense of space and peace I felt, so I’ve dared to keep the composition spacious and simple, but even so it is actually built up in tons of layers…even the pale area of sky contains loads of colour, it’s just very soft and subtle, and light in value.

I think this one will be in an exhibition at the start of the New Year, but I will be able to tell you more next time!

Oh and just finally, I had a great response to writing about my painting being featured in the BBC Drama Boat Story-thanks so much to those who spotted it and sent me lovely messages.

It is currently being scanned by a specialist fine art reproduction company, and I’m going to produce a very limited edition print of the painting, each one hand signed. They will be available in the New Year by visiting my website, but if you’re interested let me know and I’ll reserve one as this will be a one off and very small print run.

Well that’s me signing off for this year!!

I love painting and my art business, but I’m really, really ready for that break…loads of walks, family time and making nice food and memories!

Hope you all manage to have a proper rest, and a lovely time-see you in 2024 and thanks so much again for all your kind support!!

Jo xx

All content, text and images ©Jo York 2023