Creative One - Driftwood Canvas
“I’m a relaxed person; what I do fits into my lifestyle.” Jo Tyson analyses why her art fits in well with the region she lives in – “It is the environment that influences me, along with the colours of the environment. But also a love of language and humour motivates me, I love people.”
Jo is an energetic Nelson artist and a much loved art teacher, and she does both from her cosy Port Hills home. I first admired Jo’s work in her home as she worked on various pieces, including her well-known fish and lighthouse paintings, at her kitchen table. All of Jo’s art is produced – and her art classes are all held at – her kitchen table. Seeing her work, I was instantly reminded of days at Nelson’s beaches.
She grew up in Dunedin with parents who were heavily involved in the art world. From this involvement in art from an early age, Jo has always appreciated art – attending art gallery openings and making regular visits to the Dunedin gallery. After attending the Otago School of Fine Arts in Dunedin and travelling, Jo and her husband settled in Nelson and into their Port Hills home, where they still live, 25 years later. After raising her family in Nelson, Jo’s love of art fits into her relaxed Nelson lifestyle.
Today, Jo paints the environment she loves, as the Nelson region and stunning views from her home continue to inspire her art. Jo often beachcombs and paddles her canoe to the Boulder Bank to collect driftwood to use as a canvas. Jo is best known for her distinctive driftwood paintings and describes the unusual material she uses as “just another canvas”.
However Jo does make a point of telling me she does not take life too seriously, and admits she doesn’t mind what people think of her or her art. “Sales aren’t my motivation, I don’t mind what people think. I paint for myself. For me, it is the joy of painting.”
Jo continues to spread that joy for art to her students. “Students teach me as much as I teach them, the classes influence me. Sometimes at the end of a lesson, I just want to paint. So that also influences my art.” When asked about why she loves to teach art, she explains to me she loves allowing people to discover they can create “fabulous art”. Her love of teaching art began with children’s classes, then moved on to teaching adults. The passion behind teaching adults art comes from the idea of grown adults being able to “regain the spontaneity” that comes from children’s art. Jo believes teaching is about the interaction between people when they work with one another. In her classes, Jo’s students experience humour, socialising, and art combined.
Jo Tyson not only appreciates the region she lives in, but expresses her love for her lifestyle and her surroundings in her work. Her art is a must for any beach house, or a home that wants a reminder of the beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Nelson.
Most recently, Jo’s work was in an exhibition at the World Of Wearable Arts museum in June 2009, along with Deborah Walsh, who is also a good friend. Previously, her work has been in various exhibitions including the Suter Art Gallery and the Ron Barber Gallery in Wellington and her work continues to be displayed at Pots and Prints. However, fittingly, Jo sells most of her work from her home where she creates, teaches, and continues to be inspired.