Jo Mann
Jo Mann Biography
Jo Mann is a self taught artist whose intense creative desires started at the age of thirteen. While her education was formal rather than artistic, she spent many years dedicated to experimenting in a variety of mediums. After raising her family, Jo embarked upon seven years of travel spanning Canada, the U.S.A., Mexico and Central America
During these years of living amongst indigenous peoples she was exposed to many different cultures and traditions, which greatly influenced her paintings. Living and working in a Mexican tourist resort town brought her international exposure and sales that covered the globe. Although her first love is the canvas, Jo is also internationally known for her one of a kind hand painted paddles. These one piece black cherry paddles are functional as well as artistic and show the influence of her many travels. Jo has renewed her interest in glass and is now including mosaics and glass art in her portfolio.
Using the finest quality oil paint, one of a kind designs are applied to the hand made paddles. The one piece paddles are made by master paddle maker John Bell. They are made from a variety of woods, Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Pine, Oak and Ash. Once the paddles are painted they are dipped three times in marine varnish to ensure their functionality as a working paddle. Jo’s designs have been influenced by her travels to the B.C. coastal regions of western Canada, Mexico and Central America. They have become highly valued as a collector’s item. Now painting stand up paddles
Jo is currently living in Peterborough, On. And continuing her on going process of renewing creative memories from cultures past and present.