Jo May:
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I am a New Zealand artist based in Whangarei. All my originals are hand painted on silk.
Self-taught, I began painting when I was 16 & settled on silk painting in 2000.
Inspired by Northland the beauty of our coves and rock formations out at The Heads &the beaches in the near and far north, I mainly paint New Zealand coastal scenes, but I also enjoy painting native birds.
The originals take up to a month to paint. The design is drawn freehand straight onto the silk - a steady hand is needed as mistakes cannot be undone. The silk is dried for 6 hours and heat set in a steamer. Now I can add the colours, layer upon layer until I am happy. Another 6 hours drying then any touch-ups or special effects can be done. Steamed again for half a day to set the colours, the silk is then washed to remove any residual chemicals, and pressed, and is now ready for mounting.
I hand mount most of my silk originals onto canvas – this is a complicated process of myown design, that I have perfected over the years. I then hand paint the border, usually with a palette knife. This is a totally unique
presentation process that no-one I the world but me does, making it exclusive and unlike anything that anyone else has to offer.
A selection of my bright, iconic images are made into outdoor garden art on aluminium. These are an affordable feature for any deck or patio or garden.
I also make prints, cards and other related art items, all made at home .
Although my studio is private, I exhibit my work in selected exclusive shows and galleries all over NZ, and occasional markets and shows.
Self-taught, I began painting when I was 16 & settled on silk painting in 2000.
Inspired by Northland the beauty of our coves and rock formations out at The Heads &the beaches in the near and far north, I mainly paint New Zealand coastal scenes, but I also enjoy painting native birds.
The originals take up to a month to paint. The design is drawn freehand straight onto the silk - a steady hand is needed as mistakes cannot be undone. The silk is dried for 6 hours and heat set in a steamer. Now I can add the colours, layer upon layer until I am happy. Another 6 hours drying then any touch-ups or special effects can be done. Steamed again for half a day to set the colours, the silk is then washed to remove any residual chemicals, and pressed, and is now ready for mounting.
I hand mount most of my silk originals onto canvas – this is a complicated process of myown design, that I have perfected over the years. I then hand paint the border, usually with a palette knife. This is a totally unique
presentation process that no-one I the world but me does, making it exclusive and unlike anything that anyone else has to offer.
A selection of my bright, iconic images are made into outdoor garden art on aluminium. These are an affordable feature for any deck or patio or garden.
I also make prints, cards and other related art items, all made at home .
Although my studio is private, I exhibit my work in selected exclusive shows and galleries all over NZ, and occasional markets and shows.
