ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Local artist’s work is a vibrant celebration of her unique interpretation of the world

In The Studio

With Taren White

My visit with artist Jo Forrest at her Paris, Ontario home was like entering an enchanted garden. Jo is a multi-talented artist whose home is filled with her beautiful creations. I was greeted by Jo in her entryway which was glowing from her striking, handmade stained-glass windows. Window ledges were adorned with plants and walls with Jo’s paintings of fruit, florals, portraits and landscapes. We made our way to Jo’s studio space where the real journey began, deep into the creative mind of Jo Forrest. It was a colourful, vibrant celebration of her unique interpretation of nature, the human body and unique objects.

Jo’s earliest memories of being inspired to create art were from the age of three. She recalls doing a fish drawing on a piece of cardboard that her mother then painted. Jo’s cousin still has this piece of art in her cottage. Jo’s life has been filled with art and creativity. She recalls the neighbourhood children coming to her house to play because they could get messy with every imaginable art supply and create to their hearts’ content.

Meet local artist Jo Forrest - her paintings are often inspired by her poetry!

“I just grew up thinking being an artist was fun and normal,” says Jo. Her mother had a significant influence on her career as an artist.

Jo was influenced by her colour and design sense. Her mother painted every day, so Jo became a painter too. There were lots of books in the house on art. It was like having a private library

Continued on page 14