Jo Blaker

Jo Blaker is an artist & illustrator, based in Marsden.

Jo predominantly works by hand, employing a wide range of processes & materials to create images that capture the calming flow or the vibrant swell of organic or emotional energy. A soft minimalist with a love of the handmade Jo’s work combines rich & playful mark making with a design sensibility that favours harmony & balance.

Jo creates collections of printed products utilising varied print processes to reproduce her work - including risograph, giclee & lino printing. She also employs her expressive drawing style to windows, collaborating with small businesses to create bespoke, seasonal, window illustrations.

The playful & thoughtful use of language in her work is informed by a continuous reading habit of nature based writing & artistic biographies. Many of the motifs in her work stem from first hand observation.

Jo studied at the Royal College of Art & since graduating has enjoyed teaching, working with leading galleries & cultural organisations in West Yorkshire & beyond.

Website

Have a natter with the maker

whilst browsing the stall...

How did you get into illustration?

My mum is a children's librarian - so as you can imagine, books were a significant part of my childhood! I have vivid memories of specific details in picture books which really excited me as a child. Some of my happiest memories are of discovering new drawing & making processes. Tracing a Dick Bruna frieze in Infant school blew my mind! I was one of those kids who just loved to draw & I didn't stop, as so many children sadly do.

I'm so grateful to a high school art teacher for encouraging me to apply to Art College - I didn't even know such a thing existed. I studied at Leeds College of Art, age 16 & didn't look back!

Have you always had a strong connection with the natural world?

Yes & no. I'd say it was always there but not in the way it has been, since I've chosen to prioritise & nurture it.

All four of my grandparents were nature lovers & all our childhood holidays were spent exploring hills, beaches (& a lot of castles!) in Scotland. Other things were more important in my teens but I became interested again in my 20s & ended up working for the RSPB education team. I lived in London for a while, but left straight after my MA & headed to the Outer Hebrides for a 3 week holiday. That trip was incredible & started a bit of an obsession with Scottish Islands. Nature Writing, an allotment & walking on the moors all became quite significant for me in the years following my MA. It was fantastic to meet Kate (Thornton) during this time too - someone who shared my love for birds! I'm

Describe your aesthetic in five words:

A line that is alive

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

To be honest - it finds me! It's all around us... This summer I read about Wabi Sabi & it struck me that the qualities of Impermanence, Imperfection & Incompleteness are all really present in many of the experiences or observations that inspire me. I've always loved the wonky, well used & transitory. For years now I've run workshops & taught alongside my own making & its a form of creative practice which is also hugely inspiring in itself.

What do you love to do when you’re not creating?

... can I say 'think about creating!?' Life Drawing is a practice I picked up again this year & its fantastic. It is drawing of course, so its not unrelated but it's something I do purely for myself & for the process. I'm an avid reader - I love to immerse myself in the thoughts & lives of other people who pursue their passions, especially other creatives. I also enjoy yoga, walking, writing & I take A LOT of photos!