My art does not attempt to depict a visual reality accurately but instead uses shapes, colours, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect.
Jo Watters-Pawlowski is an abstract landscape painter who works from her studio in Ditchling, Sussex, UK. Her work reflects the natural environment, visual memory and a sensory perspective to hone the beauty of the landscape when applying form to her painting.
The initial rawness of her mark-making is spontaneous, allowing the process to evolve intuitively and offer a visual dialogue. Jo captures the energy of the landscape through the expressions of light, reflection, depth, contour, texture, and emotion.
Jo successfully sells her paintings from her open house gallery, No37 High Street, Ditchling, which offers a relaxed art space for visitors to ponder, talk to her about her work, and feel confident to buy her art.
An ongoing collaborated with the ceramic artstist Marija Bichan who is the owner of the Ugly Barn pottery studio in Sussex, a collection of one off large ceramic platters, made by Marija and hand decorated by Jo are exhibited at gallery No37 and available to buy, during May Artist Open House, Ditchling Trail.
In 2023 Jo and artist Nina Archer set up WAC: Watters Archer Collective. They show at galleries across the country.
jowatterspawlowski.com to view her work; all work is for sale unless otherwise stated.
Visit - Artist Statement page for further insight into Jo’s practice.
Email jowp.art@gmail.com to ask about specific paintings, studio visits, and commissions. Prices of paintings, please ask directly.
Individual art consultations are welcome.
Annual exhibitions:
Brighton Artist Open House every weekend in May.
Artwave Festival - Open House every September.
WAC. Collective
Please follow her Instagram page: @jowatterspawlowskiartist
Past Exhibitions
Spring Gallery, Cheltenham CONTRAST 5 to 9 October 2023
No37 High Street, Ditchling - Artwave Festival September 2023 Celebrate Cuckmere Haven: Wild Blue Spaces Exhibition for Artwave
Artist Open House at 37 High Street, Ditchling Trail 2023.
WAC Collaborative - 37 High Street, Ditchlng BN6 8SY 29th June PV open 30th June - 2nd July 2023
Spring Gallery WAC | Watters, Archer, Cowell-Contours a collaborative exhibition 2nd -5th March 2023
SPRING Cheltenham- Small Works Winter Show 2022
Selected group shows: 2018 - 2022
Hastings Open, Hastings Museum of Art - shortlisted (2022)
Regency House Selected for AoH 40th anniversary exhibition, 13 Brunswick Square, Hove
SPRING Cheltenham - ‘Small works show’ (2021), Montpellier Street, Cheltenham
Celebrate Cuckmere Haven South Hill Barn, Cuckmere Haven (2021)
Group Show - Lewes House, Lewes, Sussex (2019)
Gordon Dodds, London: mixed show (2019)
Nadia Waterfield Fine Art, The Autumn Hampshire Art Fair (2018)
Artist Open House: From 2007
Solo show - Artwave Festival Open Studio & Gallery, 37 High Street, Ditchling, Sussex
Solo show - Artist Open House, 37 High Street, Ditchling, Sussex
Easels ( four Women Artists) 37 High Street, Ditchling, Sussex.
Selected Contemporary Design Show: 1982 - 1994
The Direct Design Show: Chelsea Old Town Hall, London. The Direct Design Show, Kensington Town Hall, London
Contemporary Interior Design Show, Business Design Centre, Islington,London
The Direct Design Show, Royal Horticulture Halls, Westminster, London
Contemporary Textile Design Show, Orangery, Holland Park, London - representing the Chartered Society of Designers (formally Society of Industrial Artists)
The Society of Illustrators Artists & Designers - DipSIAD, London Society of Designer Craftsman London (LSDC), London
Projects and commissions 2003 - 2022
Westray, Orkney, oil on board - 2022
Hay Bluff, Hay on Wye, Hereford, oil painting- 2022
Allasdale Bay, Barra, Outer Hebrides, Oil on canvas, John Brockliss, Brighton (2019)
‘Composition’ oil and gold leaf on paper, La Grande Maison d’Athenay, Saumur, France (2014)
‘Zoom’ Art & Jazz collaboration with musician Herbie Flowers: painting workshops & live jazz at several venues across Sussex. (2000 to 2005)
’The colour of music’ acrylic on paper, painting based on Richard Strauss’s instrumental work ‘Metamorphosen’ for Herbie Flowers, musician, Sussex (2003)
Koestler Arts - Presentation and Lecture on ‘Therapeutic Importances of Art, Education, and Mental Health in Secure Units’ Royal Festival Hall, London (2011, 2013, 2016)
‘Trauma and the value of art’ - Case study presentation, National Conference for Occupational Therapy, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (2004)
History: Jo was born in Ghana, West Africa, and spent her childhood living in West Africa, the Middle East, and Thailand. Jo studied textile design at Worthing College of Art & Design and Winchester School of Art; after graduating, she set up a textile and surface print studio in Sussex (1984 to 1996) as a freelance textile designer and fabric printer. Jo worked for interior designers, stylists and private clients. She exhibited at interior design shows in the UK and Europe and sold designs through her agent. Drawing and painting were the foundation of her design work, and later she transitioned to pure painting. Jo pursued a second career to train as a specialist teacher and arts educator, working in Secure Mental Health Services. Alongside her full time teaching role she maintained her art practice. Following retirement Jo concentrates purely on developing a career as a painter.
This collection of landscape paintings evokes a feeling of being somewhere and nowhere. Bold gestures and colour lends abstraction to the image. Forms resemble familiar landmarks but are distorted, encouraging viewers to see beyond the obvious. These paintings have no noticeable skyline to challenge perception, blurring the line between reality and imagination. They prompt reflection on the subjective nature of experiencing the landscape of South Downs and further afield.
All work is professionally framed with bespoke hand-sprayed frame. The colour of the frame is carefully chosen to work in harmony with the white undertones detected in each piece.
Oil on panel
76 x 76 x 2 cm (unframed)
43 x 43 x 5cm
Oil on wooden panel framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood in Off White.
Inspired from walking along Underhill Lane, the foot of the Downs.
oil on panel
43 x 43 x 5cm
Bespoke hand finished frame
Oil on wood panel
40 x 40 x 3cm
Oil on board
30 x 30 x 3 cm
33 x 33 x 5 cm framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood in off White
Observing the tracks made from years of walkers and animals, forming natural footpaths. South Downs National Park
Oil on canvas (aluminum frame)
60 x 60 x 2.5 cm (unframed)
Oil on Birchwood panel
63 x 63 x 5 cm framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood in white
Underhill Lane, Westmeston
Oil on wood panel
30 x 30 x 3 cm
33 x 33 x 5 cm framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood in Off White
This area is called the ‘old tank track’. Which runs up the side of the Downs from Underhill Lane, near Clayton. It is full of furrows and deep rucks in the ground made during 2nd World War.
Oil on wood panel
30 x 30 x 3 cm
33 x 33 x 5 cm framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood in Off White
Captures the strong orange fields scattered over the South Downs which are very distingtive within the landscape.
Oil on wood panel
30 x 30 x 3 cm
33 x 33 x 5 cm framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood Off White
A snippet capturing the array of field colours over a summer Sussex landscape.
Small paintings are a constant in my collection, often a compostion of an idea that can go on to form the bases of larger work. All work is professionally framed in bespoke hand sprayed wooden frames, finished colour, white or off white matt.
Please DM for further information.
Oil on board
OIL on board
Oil on board
oil on un primed wooden panel
29 x 25 x 3 cm Framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood frame (White)
oil on un primed birch panel
29 x 25 x 3 cm Framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood frame (White)
Oils on board
27 x 22 x 3 cm Framed in bespoke hand sprayed wood frame (White)
Gallery at No.37 High Street, Ditchling BN6 8SY
2024 Exhibitions
MAY Artist Open House No37, High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8SY
OPEN WEEKENDS AND BANK HOLIDAYS IN MAY 2024 11AM - 5PM
May 4/5/6 11/12 18/19 25/26/27 Jo Watters-Pawlowski
JULY WAC Collective at The Chair , Hay-on-Wye showing with Nina Archer, Peter Archer and Jacky Oliver
Monday, 15 July 2024, 16.30 to Sunday, 21 July 2024, 17.30
SEPTEMBER Artwave Festival, No37, High Street, Ditchling BN6 8SY OPEN WEEKENDS IN SEPTEMBER 2024 11AM - 5PM
SEPTEMBER: 7/8 14/15 21/22. Jo Watters-Pawlowski and Kris Pawlowski
For viewings at other times please email: jowp.art@gmail.com or call 07926 082345
2023 Exhibitions
SPRING Cheltenham WAC
Artist Open House - No.37 High Street, Ditchling
WAC | Watters, Archer & Cowel: Ditchling
ARTWAVE FESTIVAL 30th Anniversary
South Down Barn: Selected for Celebrate Cuckmere Haven: Wild Blue Spaces
SPRING Cheltenham WAC
December work selected for SPRING Cheltenham Small Works Show.
Email: jowp.art@gmail.com
follow @jowatterspawlowskiartist
Contact: 07926 082354
https://aoh.org.uk/93389-2/ Ditchling Artist Jo Watters-Pawlowski Artists Open House 2022 Blog
Work on paper using oil, inks, and other mediums. They are professionally framed in bespoke hand finished frames using museum glass. Please DM for further information.
Oil on paper
60 x 30 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Actual painting size: 40 x 13.5 cm
Oil on oil paper
30 x 30 x 2 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Actual painting size: 12 cm x 12 cm
Oil and ink on paper
82 x 69 x 3.5 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
actual painting size: 65 x 49 cm
Oil on paper
82 x 70cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Actual painting size: 65 x 50 cm
Oil, Inks and collage on paper
82 x 70 x 3.5 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
actual painting size: 65 x 50 cm
Oil, Ink and collage on paper
32 x 31 x3 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
oil & Ink on paper
32 x 31 x3 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Oil & Ink on paper
32 x 31 x3 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Mixed media on paper
32 x 31 x3 cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Oil & ink on paper
35 x 32 x 3cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Oil on paper
35 x 32 x 3cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
Oil & Ink on paper
35 x 32 x 3cm framed in bespoke hand finished frame using museum glass
I work from the heart and challenge perception, blurring the line between reality and imagination. My paintings evoke a feeling of being somewhere and nowhere, allowing gestural marks and colour to lend abstraction to the image and reflect on the subjective nature of experiencing the landscape of the South Downs and further afield. Forms resemble familiar landmarks but are distorted, encouraging viewers to see beyond the obvious.
My art training was in textile design and surface print, where essential skills have supported the context of my knowledge and understanding of composition, scale, detail, texture, colour mixing, and mark-making. All of these remain pivotal throughout my creative practice.
My artistic practice is contemporary abstract. In my studio I use influences and references from the environment around me: land, rivers, and seascapes. Sketchbook work helps formulate ideas, relying on my visual and sensory memory, plus any brief lineal sketches, notes, or photo references I may take on-site. Particular attention to colour, accent colour, line, and form provokes an emotional response, ultimately affecting how I translate this into a painting.
My well-used painting tools include palette knives, paint brushes, scrapers, and rubber squeegees. Additional mark-making techniques, such as cold wax, monoprint, and graphite pencil, can often enhance the painting to suggest a feeling or emotion I want to capture from the memory of my original inspiration. I love working big but equally on a smaller scale. These can provide a structure I could take forward to form the basis for larger pieces. I paint on various surfaces: canvas, wood panels, board, or paper, where layers of paint are applied or, at times, removed, helping to generate the impression of depth, the constant movement of light playing on the landscape or water, and the underlying mayhem of textures and shapes. Working on several pieces simultaneously allows the oils to dry and settle, giving me time and space to stand back and evaluate the painting. It is often challenging to reach a visual simplicity to express the emotional characteristics that define my work with integrity and transparency and represent the best of myself in each painting.
To represent the interests of each client I am happy to arrange art consultations and studio visits.
Work shown on my website is for sale unless otherwise stated.
Email: jowp.art@gmail.com to ask about specific paintings or call on 07926 082354 for any other enquires.
Not all of my work is shown on my website.
working on two paintings 80 x 80 cm based on a detail of paintings based on the pond series.
Image taken by the late photographer, John Brockliss.
Images of paintings shown in 37 High Street and clients' homes.
Welcome to No37 High Street, a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Ditchling, East Sussex, nestled at the foot of the breathtaking South Downs. Every May & September, No37 High Street, transforms into a beautiful exhibition space. Contemporary artworks sit comfortably on the walls of this former bakery shop; visitors can enjoy meeting the artist Jo Watters-Pawlowski and looking at beautiful work.
Jo, owner and curator of No37 creates a relaxed art space for visitors to ponder, engage in conversation, and be confident when buying art. The gallery offers an opportunity to make artwork accessible to all and celebrate buying art direct from the artist.
No37 High Street celebrates the joy of living with art in your everyday lives.
oil on birch wood panel
60 x 60 cm
Customers’ photo of painting in their room.
Clients home in Sussex
Oil on canvas
105 x 105 cm
103 x 103 cm oil on canvas
Clients home
Artist home
105 x 105 mixed media on canvas
Artists home
Oil and ink on oil paper
82.5 x 69 cm Framed behind art glass
Artwave Openhouse gallery 2021
Oil and mixed media on canvas
140 x 100 cms