*People* Popped over to Oaks Park today to meet up with community artist, Jo Sharpe (and not forgetting Tilly). Jo has her wonderful art studio in the park, with light provided from the most impressive window.
Colour is at the heart of everything Jo creates, and bright paintings on all the walls enhance the vast studio space. There’s seascapes inspired by escaping the stresses of Covid, and stunning original botanical artwork and prints inspired by the local area. It’s the kind of art that makes any home look sensational.
Jo talked us through how one fabric in particular was inspired by the nearby Queen Mary’s Woodlands and that the material is handmade into a plump touchy-feely cushion by local seamstress, and friend, Jean. Jo is pictured holding the cushion.
Jo studied textiles at Goldsmiths, designed patterns for World’s End Tiles, and worked in teaching, before finally following her biggest dream of all – becoming a bonafide artiste. Move over William Morris, as Jo is now moving into wallpaper patterns too – and the sample I saw was beautiful.
Jo is now a proud member of the Secret Carshalton Directory. Read more about her, and how to find the studio on the link at the bottom of this page. The studio is open the first Saturday of every month if you want to go and have a nose around.
🗝 Jo’s studio is an unusual outbuilding connected to the stable block which was originally part of The Oaks mansion that stood close by.
🗝 This building was nearly lost forever, when a fire ripped through the place about 6 years ago. You can still see charred marks on the wall. The huge window was badly damaged, but was thankfully replaced.
For details of contacting and visiting Jo’s studio click here
