FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENCIES, ONE-TO-ONE ART TUITION, WORKSHOPS & COLLECTORS
"At the end of having worked with Joanne for 2 years, with her unique mentorship, I feel proud and confident to call myself an artist, something I had never deemed myself to be qualified to be termed as before, more simply describing myself as creative. Something for which I am unendingly grateful to her. These 2 years of dedicatedly practising weekly have been the anchor point of my week and have been a life raft on many occasions. A space of solace, sanctuary, silence and celebration. A place for deeply meditative creative focus, free expression and bliss.
Joanne’s gentle, judgement-free, nurturing encouragement, guidance and endless knowledge, combined with incredible conversations exploring a wide horizon of topics, techniques, concepts and approaches have been invaluable in opening up creative channels, bravely experimenting outside my comfort zones, breaking boundaries and breaking through blocks (all with a beautifully held safety net). Joanne’s own work and practice is inspiring and mesmerising, providing an additional element of encouragement through working side by side and observation of her own way of being, as a person and an artist.
This experience of working with Joanne has been life-changing beyond words, with an enormous sense of achievement and an increase in confidence and peace, holistically and as an artist. Having the dedicated space, time and mentorship has given me the accountability and empowerment to allow me to hone my skills and take my creativity to new and unimagined levels, which I can now carry forward with me on the next chapter of my practice. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone as a unique gift of exponential growth in all ways. The sense of achievement and peace experienced in her sessions are unlike anything I’ve been able to create myself and I would recommend her sessions and residencies to anyone as a truly life enhancing gift"
Tina - Artist Residency 2023 & 2024
'Beautiful work
Lama Surya Das - Spiritual Leader / Western Buddhist Meditation Teacher and Author, Poet & Chantmaster in Tibetan Dzogchen Tradition
‘‘What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning. Joanne’s holding of the space is both nurturing and inspiring. She achieves a delicate balance of structure and freedom as she guides participants through these creative workshops. I really recommend that you come along and get some nourishment for your body, mind and soul’’
Janey, Arts Psychotherapist and Musician - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
‘‘It is incredible what might emerge in a short space of time. I found myself in a beautiful space of connection and held in the gentle energy of our workshop guide and the wonderful invitation of gentle creative guidance if needed.The workshop was inspiring and beautiful. It was a blissful way to explore and try out something. It has evoked a sense of exploring ‘my way’ of intuitive painting further, and awakening new layers of colour to my life, and adding new layers of discovery and connection to myself’’
Deborah - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“A beautifully held creative workshop that renewed and inspired me”
Jo - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“A wonderfully joyous morning, happy and content”
Carole - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“Very relaxing workshop…loved having the space to slow down with like minded people and create in a safe space. Was interesting to hear about a different approach to creating and I didn’t feel pressured to do or not do anything”
Anon - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“Loved everything about this workshop”
Karen - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“Beautiful morning, the space, the framework,the energy was perfect. Very grateful for the shared moment”
Elise - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“A peaceful time spent painting from my heart, letting go of rejection, falling in love with this morning with painting imperfectly”
Deborah - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“An enlightening and tranquil session where I found my inner artist for a while - wonderful!”
Linda - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“We loved the workshop and this one was really great!Jo has an infectious enthusiasm and I loved the creative and psychical freedom”
Sam & Co - Art, Meditation & Happiness workshop / 2022
“My Sisters’House Women’s Centre has highly valued this vital peer professional creative support group. The difference between this and many of our own groups is the creative support environment which enabled women to feel they belong, empowered, and energised. Importantly, it meets a different need – embracing their creativity. Feedback from clients ‘” fantastic” “so supportive” “so enjoyed sharing my feelings through chanting, meditation and through painting, creative ideas and support”. About the end of such, ‘ it was my lifeline, made me get up and moving and I looked forward to it every week- I am gutted knowing it is no longer available ”
My Sisters’House Women’s Centre - Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“I was approached by Jo letting me know that this group was running. I suggested it to some of the people I support who have Learning Disabilities. Those that enjoy art were very eager to go along. Unfortunately, the course wasn’t able to run for any longer and my members were quite upset by this, as they had found such joy and sense of wellbeing, inclusion and equality. If funding was available again, they would love to attend and have help with their mental wellbeing”
Aldingbourne Trust - Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“The Creative Metta project was an extremely positive experience for the clients referred by the Chichester Social Prescribing Service. It provided a, much -needed, safe, creative space for people, who were experiencing mild- moderate mental health issues, due to, or exacerbated by, the Pandemic. There were inevitably challenges and delays, caused by the ever-changing landscape, due to Covid, and the unpredictable nature of the participants' wellbeing but, once up and running, I think it met our hopes and expectations and has produced positive outcomes for those who attended.I have received excellent feedback from clients and I, personally, found Jo and Gilli to be very professional and easy to work with. I would love to see more of this type of project in the future. It offered free creative opportunities for people, who otherwise would not have been able to participate in this type of activity and also helped reduce the social isolation of many who attended”
NHS innovation Primary Care Chichester Social Prescribing - Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“I have learned new skills both psychologically and artistically. I feel more able to challenge negative thoughts and to express them on paper rather than internalise them”
Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“It was hugely beneficial to use the art techniques to express myself more without saying anything. Therefore I feel it would be possible to continue using these techniques outside of the group setting”
Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“It was hugely beneficial to use the art techniques to express myself more without saying anything. Therefore I feel it would be possible to continue using these techniques outside of the group setting”
Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“I’ve learned about application and commitment. The workshops helped me with my depression and anxiety. It helped me keep relaxed”
Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“I’m slow making friends but I was really enjoying the group. The workshops were starting to help me with my depression and anxiety. It was nice to have somewhere to go, and share, and get involved. And be around like minded people”
Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
“I think the Creative Metta workshops at New Park were tremendously beneficial for people. They provided a fantastic platform for some Richmond Fellowship service users to show off their creative talents in a safe and secure environment. Art is hugely beneficial for anyone faced with a mental health difficulty and I felt like I witnessed improvements in service users within your group. For the group to cease running it is a tremendous shame as I feel it is vitally important to people to feel like they have something to go to where they feel safe and content doing what they love”
Pathfinders West Sussex - Creative Metta Project 2020 - Arts Council England Funded Project
''Thank you so much for sharing your amazing creations with us and for your love and support''
Stuart Semple - Culture Hustle
'Beautiful artwork''
Kevin James Carroll - Kirtan Musician
'I love your artwork'
Mirabai Moon - Kirtan Musician
''Jo has been a real find! The ability to talk to an artist with experience, who I can bounce ideas with and hear new ones has been invaluable. She has given me encouragement, belief and motivation plus some really useful ‘insider’ tips! I have loved her spirituality, groundedness and calmness and ultimately her non judgmental support for me to be truly authentic in my practice''
Jane - Artist Mentoring Sessions & Professional Development
''I thought it was well organised and beautifully held. Each day brought fresh experiences and learning. Gilli and Jo have given me the precious gift of being able to love my intuitive expressions in art form, a deeply enriching experience, a feast for the senses. I felt – and still do – that a new pathway into my creativity was opened, and that I am now curious to explore it further. I also feel better equipped to get more out of the materials I work with and various techniques and art medium. I loved the way both Gilli and Jo held space for me and other participants, the level of love, care and thought they had put into making this an enriching experience. Their love for art expression and enthusiasm are infectious. I loved how the days flowed within the structured daily program, that they brought the outside in and took the inside out. I loved the music, meditations, conversations, grounding in and out, playfulness, quiet, calm, joy, studio environment both inside and out, the collaborative art, the motivational cards and getting to spend time with extraordinary women, I very much appreciated the thought and effort the Jo and Gilli had put into ensuring that all participants had a personal space within the collective one''
Josephine - Summer Painting Retreat 2020
''I loved it, my first ever painting experience so was nervous and excited at the same time. I learned so much in just 4 days. My belief that I’m not a painter has gone! Having the luxury of 2 very different artists teaching, guiding, encouraging, inspiring, sharing their wisdom, philosophies and artistic skill. Having you working on your own paintings alongside us was brilliant. Loved the space, very comfortable in a lovely location, all mod cons!
Lynne - Summer Painting Retreat 2020
''Thank you for a very informative and enjoyable day yesterday, Joanne. I wanted to learn more about oil painting and how to use mediums. Your explanations were clear and helpful and my aim was achieved--albeit much more to learn! The calm and peaceful atmosphere provided by you very much helped the learning process. I recommend you highly and will probably return one day soon.
Linda - Oil painting workshop
“I saw Jo's work in a pop-up studio in Chichester last summer. I loved the vibrancy and spirituality of her work and fell in love with Kingfisher Queen. The painting now hangs in my living room and gives me a sense of calm and serenity, when I look at it. I regularly discover features within it, that I had previously missed. This piece of art brings me joy, on a daily basis”
Jo F - Private Art Collector
''Joanne is classically trained and very experienced in working with oil paints and I found her introduction was very thorough. It was a very friendly and informal atmosphere and it was great fun. I learnt lots and picked up some good tips. The day has given me more confidence to work and experiment with oils''
Liz - Oil painting workshop
''I loved spending the day with Joanne, in her studio. She provided everything we needed, and was guiding and helpful with her teaching. It was inspiring and enjoyable. So much so, we have already returned for a second workshop! Highly recommended''
Anne - Go with the flow workshop
''Joanne's work is hard to describe: being a mixture of surrealism, fantasy and colour. I very much like the one painting I have, and I would suggest that her work is always worth looking at as it changes and varies constantly, but always interestingly''
Ian Harris - Private Art Collector / Antiques Road Show / Owner N.Bloom & Son
''I am happy to give Jo Webb a recommendation. Her work has always been creative and of high technical quality as well. She is a very pleasant and reliable companion in the workplace and at leisure''
Tony Dignum - Private Art Collector & Leader of the Council / Chichester District Council
''I received Joanne's art the next day and I love my watercolour. It's on the window sill above my desk and I'm looking at it now. 'Awakening' has a particular resonance for me at the moment - I'm about to make a big move - so in every way I'm delighted''
Fiona - Private Art Collector