Jo Thompson
Jo Thompson
Joyous energy, vibrant color and powerful imagery are hallmarks of Jo Thompson’s work which is rooted in the people and landscapes of the West, and images from the heart. Her career as a painter, printmaker, and pastelist bloomed in the 1980’s when she left her native Illinois and became a Southern California artist. She had her studio and etching presses in Santa Monica, San Diego and Palm Springs.
Jo earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, from Wesleyan University, travelled to England, France, and Spain for further art studies including graduate work in Art History at the University of Arizona. Jo continued her education to become a credentialed teacher, has a Master’s in Education specializing in Instructional Technology from California State University, and she has taught both art and technology from kindergarten to college.
Jo has been active in donating her artwork and time to women’s issues including coordinating annual International Women’s Day Conferences, raising money for art scholarships and working with Artist Judy Chicago on Envisioning the Future, a collaborative, multi-disciplinary art project.
Jo has exhibited widely in the U.S. and is represented in numerous private and public collections. She has owned several galleries, hosted her own public radio show, “Art Talk” where she interviewed artists about their process and work, and has made a lifelong study of the psychology of creativity. Jo has recently returned home to Southern California and is busy completing her book on putting creative power into practice and making new artwork.