When did you first become interested in painting?
I enjoyed art as a child but really only started seriously about 14 years ago. I initially began painting and selling my work during a year off from my career as an office manager to raise money for charity.
Did you always know you would become an artist, or did you have other ideas?
I left school at 16 and would have liked to go to art college but my practical Yorkshire nature took over and I decided it would be more sensible to go to catering college instead. Soon after that, I took a secretarial course and have spent most of my working life running offices. I was keen to be able to make a living and felt that catering and secretarial skills would always be in demand!
Are you a full time artist and if so how do you manage your time?
I have spent most of my working life in offices in various PA and office management roles. Over the past 14 years, I have split my time between being the studio and the office, helping my husband run his telecom’s business. I still do some administrative and accounting work but spend the majority of my time as an artist. I tend to paint in the afternoons and get anything else I need to do over with in the mornings. I think myself very fortunate but am always prepared to earn money elsewhere if I need to!
Have you always worked with watercolour? And if so what is it you like about the medium?
Watercolour is my favourite medium and I work with it most of the time. I do occasionally work in acrylics, which is a refreshing change and results in a different style, but I always come back to watercolour. I love the way the paint behaves (and sometimes misbehaves) with water and I always mix colours on the paper, rather than in the palette. I think it gives a fresher look to the painting.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from all over. I often look through dance magazines for inspiration if I’m painting dancers and nature is always full of inspiring movement.
You have a very distinctive style, have you always worked in this way?
I have had no formal training and my style has developed over the years. I paint more freely than I did when I first started and I think that has come from being more confident.
Are you influenced by any famous artists, if so who are they?
I am keen on all the impressionist painters and enjoy trying to capture the feeling of what I’m painting, without getting bogged down with detail.
You often use humour in your paintings. Do you think humour is an important part of your work?
I think people are sometime too serious about art. I don’t want to challenge or shock anyone. I’m happiest when somebody says my work makes them feel happy.
View work work by Jo Slater-Thomas
