Artist Statement

I primarily paint natural landscapes and scenes from the British countryside and particularly enjoy painting woodlands, fields and hidden away places that you might not know exist.  I walk a lot which provides inspiration for the work.  It can be a moment of light, or a particular view or bend of a tree which fires my desire to capture what I’ve noticed. My aim is to paint scenes that resonate with you, the viewer.

I also love the interplay of light and shadow and the different atmospheres, mood and colours that the seasons bring. I like to add light to paintings, whether that’s cool winter rays or the full warmth of Summer.

I use vibrant, heightened colour to add emotional impact to the work, using several layers of pigment and expressive marks to make interesting pieces that you’ll never tire of.  Strong lines and perspective are used to add depth and invite you into the scene.

Medium of choice

I work in acrylic and also pastel.  Some subjects lend themselves better to each medium.  The layering of pigment and use of colour and mark making is the same for each however, and therefore, I do like to capture a variety of subjects but in my own developed style. My other passions for painting subjects are birds, animals, flowers and water.

Artist Biography

Jo Lillywhite was born in Lancashire and now lives and works in South Oxfordshire, UK. Her father was a draughtsman in the sign industry which influenced her love of drawing and graphic design from an early age. This has translated into strong use of perspective and line in her paintings and a bold use of colour.

Jo is self-taught and has developed her style outside of a formal fine-art institutional path. She continues to develop her practice through online and in person classes and experimenting with mediums and colour combinations in her studio.

Galleries and artist groups describe her work as striking, vibrant, and engaging, with an ability to make landscapes feel both familiar and fresh.

In one artist-group feature, her painting Spring Lagoon was chosen as Picture of the Month, with the selector praising its sense of light, inviting space, and dreamlike qualities.

Fellow exhibitors and reviewers often mention strong use of colour, good depth and light, and compositional clarity – qualities that help her landscapes stand out as different and refreshing.

Commissions and Organisations

Jo also enjoys working closely with clients to create commissioned pieces that they love and she prides herself on providing a professional and personable experience.

She is an exhibiting member of the Reading Guild of Artists and Henley Arts & Crafts Guild. Jo is also a Director of Oxfordshire Artweeks, Britain’s largest and oldest Open Studios and Art Trail event.