Jo Kennedy

Jo Kennedy

Jo is a painter and poet living in Richmond, Virginia. She works in acrylic painting, mixed media, and collage. She is the former Director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Jo holds a Master of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Humanities from the University of Richmond. She has studied painting in San Miguel deAllende, Mexico, at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and with private instructors. She was recognized in 2006 by the Richmond YWCA as Outstanding Woman in the Arts. Jo’s work can be seen at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond, Va; the Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles; and at Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery in Virginia Beach, VA. Jo is a member of the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association.

 

Artist Statement

Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, I spent much of my childhood in the outdoors, exploring fields and orchards, climbing fences and trees, and flying homemade kites in the open sky. The contours and rhythms of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the fertile valley and the winding Shenandoah River indelibly imprinted my childhood memory and imagination. Just as my poems are imbued with open spaces and a sense of place, my paintings are informed by my desire to create, define and claim the small physical space of the canvas in relationship to the larger canvas of the natural world. While my abstract paintings and collages are not traditional landscapes, I like to think of them as landscapes of the heart and memory. Using vibrant, intense colors and textured surfaces, my intent is to create energy and a sense of joy and childlike awe of the world we live in. When you view my paintings and collages, I want you to feel very much alive and in touch with your humanity and creative spirit.

Website: https://jokennedyart.com/

Instagram: @jokennedyart 

Facebook: Jo Kennedy