I’m interested in commissions and projects that bring people together — community art projects, residencies, and collaborative work where there’s room to be genuinely creative and responsive to a place or a group of people.
I’ve been an artist in residence in North Wales, Scotland, East London, and on a remote island off the coast of North Carolina. I’ve co-curated a 12-hour solstice radio station, facilitated community markets, and completed a 9-month residency at Applecart Arts in East London where I painted with local people in a café, building a collection of spontaneous portraits and conversations.
Recent commissions include: a set of risograph-printed postcards for Rabbits Road Press and Newham Heritage Month, developed through a month-long residency involving archive research, visits to local sites, and learning risograph printing — exploring connections between Newham’s history, mental health, and art. I also created the Crafty Creature Club as a commissioned project for Culture Within Newham’s Summer of Sustainability. And I’ve painted the shop windows at Neighbourhood Store in Shoreham-by-Sea — a collaborative creature takeover with artist stevexoh) — which we’re doing again in June 2026.
I also take on illustration and design commissions — including t-shirt and print designs, paintings, pet and human portraits, and artwork for public spaces.
However a project comes together, I like to find a good balance between structure and freedom, make sure our values are well matched, and keep communication open throughout. I’m always happy to talk through an idea at an early stage, even if it’s not fully formed yet.
Previous work:
- Drawing on Heritage — Rabbits Road Press / Newham Heritage Month
- Neighbourhood Store window commission
- Glen Dye Solstice Radio / The Glen Dye Podcast
- Ocracoke Art Adventure
- A gallery of conversations
- Mammoth Tap bar commission
- Applecart Arts Residency
- Pet + human portraits
What people have said:
“Jo has created a lot for us — an amazing 12-hour radio show, some podcasts, and she has also been an artist in residence. For each of these projects her input has been both creative and highly practical and it’s been a total joy to work with her.” — Charlie Gladstone, owner of Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages
“It was a pleasure working with Jo on the Drawing on Heritage postcards commission, she brought a lot of enthusiasm and creativity to the project and developed a wonderful set of postcards.” Sofia Niazi, Founder and Project Manager at Rabbits Road Press
“She completed a 9-month residency with us which I oversaw, and it was a pleasure to work alongside her. Her ability to connect is an asset and will open up new thinkings for anyone who works alongside her.” — Grace Acton Roberts, Curator, Applecart Arts
Have an idea you’d like to talk through? Email jo@misswoodforthetrees.com — I’m always happy to have an early conversation.
To find out about other work on offer, take a look here.