Creative Spotlight | Joanne Goodchild
Published on 18 July 2022
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I am Jo, an artist that paints from my home studio in Ryde. Many years ago, I completed a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Fine arts from the University of NSW. I currently teach part time while pursuing my dream of being a full-time painter. Basically, I paint because I need to make new images. As an artist I feel compelled to interpret the beauty in everyday life. I collect moments in time that have captured my attention, a cloud, the light, a colour, a shadow or a form in the natural world. These are features of the landscape that I have found appealing or interesting. I aim to capture the sensations felt from visiting natural places. I use personal memories to create imagined landscapes with a whimsical or magical quality.
Are there any special processes, techniques or tools you use to make your creative work?
Ideas for my paintings often begin with a photograph I have taken or a sketch I have done in the landscape. I also use Procreate to manipulate photos of my paintings, draw new images and experiment with ideas. I primarily paint in oils and build up the colour in layers. I have a loose and gestural approach to my mark making and enjoy experimenting with composition by altering viewpoints and introducing imagined features.
Whereabouts do you look for creative ideas? Who or what inspires you?
I am primarily inspired by the natural world and driven by the joy found in the physical act of painting. Creating landscapes on a canvas provides me with a treasured world of my own where I can escape the chaotic nature of modern life. I aim to present a storybook like image, somewhere beautiful which the viewer may enjoy to discover. I am influenced by many landscape painters including William Robinson and Mary Tonkin just to name a few.
What’s the most challenging part of working as an artist / creative?
I would say that mentally removing myself from day-to-day life in order to focus on what I’m trying to achieve is consistently challenging.
How does your personal history, culture or experience inform your creative work?
Working as a teacher of young children I have been exposed to a wide variety of picture books. The images created by illustrators take children to magical places and are a powerful portal to their learning. Viewing these illustrations and seeing the children’s response has definitely influenced the type of images I want to create.
What is a creative project that you’ve worked on that you’re really proud of?
A highlight of my professional career as a Visual Arts specialist teacher was coordinating our biannual whole school art exhibitions. The pride the students had in their work brought the community together, increased learning engagement and the social and emotional wellbeing of the students. It was very rewarding.
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch?
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jogoodchildart/
Email: jgoodchild707@gmail.com