Lee Green Open Studios 2013 & an Exhibition in Cambridge at Byard Art

Daisy (my daughter) and I are again opening our home as part of Lee Green Open Studios. It is a time when the house gets a good spruce up and we get to show our wares. Its an opportunity for me to show other things that I have done. I am especially looking forward to showing some of my fabric designs and seeing what you think. I am also part of a lovely exhibition in Cambridge at Byard Art this month and part of November.............

'Waiting for the sun'
showing at Byard Art Cambridge

My paintings are in Stockholm and I wish I was!

I am hoping this one was chosen to go off to Stockholm for the Affordable Art Fair..I am not sure what the gallery decided to take but this week a clutch of my paintings will be visiting ....and hopefully repatriating. I think I have something wrong...I want to be in Stockholm this week!!!
I am however working on a show in December with my head still by the sea, I have to make eight paintings for their selection of six and I am establishing a new relationship with this gallery which is exciting and fills my stomach with butterflies....this is a crazy way to earn a living and I now truly believe I have elements of insanity.....there I've said it!!!!

'Nana's Shelf'

For selection at Jonatathan Cooper Park Walk Gallery...will they or won't they................

Home Sweet Home

I have been thinking today about working at home, technically my studio is not in the house so I do go out of the back door to work but it is so very close and at times difficult to separate the two. Work and home are so intertwined for me because of the domestic nature of my subject and also my maternal nature and although my offspring are by no means dependant my urge to gather my family together and feed them is still very strong.
I found myself today when deciding to come in and make a cuppa getting distracted by the debris in the kitchen and spending at least half an hour sorting it out.
I used to be able to leave the house stuff and get on with my work but now I just cannot do it...Why.
I need order to be able to have a clear mind to get out into that studio and sometimes it drives me crazy trying to keep this balance.
I think a busy Autumn has bought this to my attention and I have moments that I would like to go into my studio and not come out for hours and have my meals and refreshments delivered with the care and love I give every offering to my loved ones....Angry...me??

Home Sweet Home

Thank You my friend

Today I want to mention my friend Jo and publicly thank her for her endless support for over twenty years!!!. She has bought work from me from the very beginning and this kind of support is so valuable to me not only from a financial point of view but the belief she has in me. It is not too often you find these friendships in life. For nearly two years now we have managed to encourage each other to get up on Blackheath and run! whatever the weather we do it and it has now become an integral part of our lives...the walk,the talk and run keep both of us healthy and focused.
Jo Will probably not see this unless I show her but if you come across it thank you girl!
I took a few took a few snaps this morning at her house after our very soggy run this morning...I made the mosaic in the kitchen too...

It's all in a name.......

I have been dreaming lately about my maiden name and becoming Jo Johnson again. I have been unmarried for a while now but because of my work have kept my married name without really giving it that much thought because I married young took my husbands name and had Oakley children and became an Oakley artist.
But now I want to reclaim my name, why.........Children have grown into adults and ex husband is re-marrying.......maybe?
I am getting myself ready for Urban Art in Brixton (details in last post) and whilst signing some of my screen prints I decided to start the process and signed JOJ and it felt strangely good so I will start talking to galleries about this. There must be other women out there who know what I am talking about and I would love to hear from you.........

Don't mention the weather.......An invite

SUMMER IN THE CITY………….

Hello everybody, I would like to invite you to Urban Art in Brixton. I will be there for the weekend and would love to see you. Lots to see and a chance to enjoy London at its very best!!

Stand 33j

13^th & 14^th July

Josephine Avenue

Brixton 

Blog Block and other Stories......

It feels like a really long time since I got down to writing a blog, I think I have avoided it quite blatantly. I have been working though so that is the most important thing and reacquainting myself with the lovely Whitstable and have had a visit from a great friend with her baby. We had a glorious afternoon in the garden catching up with each other and cooing over her beautiful baby. I am working on a project that I will reveal all later in the year and this has bought a new energy to my work, I can't quite put my finger on it but maybe its just because I'm excited by it...not sure.
Screen printing has been fun too and I am becoming more confident with this new skill....Oh and not forgetting my ma and pa have been married fifty years this month and that is an incredible accomplishment!!!!Here are some pictures which tell all.......