Artist Bio

Paula Jobson is a Hereford-based painter who creates wildlife and botanical portraits in pen, watercolour and acrylic paints.

 With a professional background in highway engineering, Paula has a deep interest in how people relate to their surroundings. She uses her art to explore themes of interconnection in a way that provides a release from the exactitude of science.

 Her years of country walking following Ordnance Survey maps and later generating maps for engineering purposes have inspired her to develop a conversation with the world that resonates with the engineering practices of extraction and isolation. In particular, she creates a voice for nature by specialising in placing animals in her paintings to develop eye contact and establish a sense of the observer as the observed.

,She has exhibited widely in her home city of Hereford with additional shows, including the Bath Art Fair. In addition, her artwork has appeared in Vogue Magazine.

 Paula participated in:

 A virtual summer camp at the University of Canberra, centre for applied water science, comprising of scientists and artists from across the planet, including talks with indigenous nations, exploring the themes of water, climate change, deep time and cultural knowledge. More about this cultural exchange and awakening on the following pages.

Discover latest activities on instagram @paulajobsonart

Artist Statement 

For latest work “grounded Fruits and flying veggies”

Walking around the Three Counties Autumn Harvest Festival competition tent inspired me to consider how I felt about fruit and vegetables. I was surprised by the intensity of focus that was awarded to the humble produce. 

In ‘grounded fruits and flying veggies,’ a series of ink and acrylic on canvas paintings, I depict root vegetables that have been left too long for cooking and have come back to life in the dark of a storage cupboard. In contrast, I also paint fruits picked from my garden, fresh and still responsive to the light. 

The vegetables float in mid-air with no shadows in the background. Instead, there are ink splashes to create a dramatic effect. The fruits, in contrast, are grounded with ink splashes creating depth. 

In creating these paintings, first I draw the fruit and vegetable models directly onto the canvas. Then, I add the ink splashes and move them around, smudging and blotting as needed. When I have a trio of vegetables, I paint one piece until complete and then another with a mini-series appearing on the canvas over time. I work methodically and start each session by spraying the vegetables with water to establish a connection, keeping them fresh, and encouraging growth.

This series is a meditation on our dependence on fruit and vegetables to sustain life. It started with my curiosity about a potato found in the cupboard. The sprouting potato has a soft and squidgy texture with a translucent quality, developing deep wrinkles as its energy goes into creating shoots and roots. As these living things undergo these changes, we can reflect on the circular nature of life and death.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Herefordshire Art Christmas weekends – 25/26 November & 2/3 December 2023

Take your time to enjoy the friendly and inspiring atmosphere set by Herefordshire’s creative people. Paula has an open studio and group exhibition at Apple Store Gallery – Unit 1 Rockfield Road, Hereford HR1 2UA

Leominster Victorian Market – Saturday 9th December 2023

Enjoy some nostalgia in the Black and White market town of Leominster. There are an array of Victorian entertanments and market stalls.  Enjoy the perfect Christmas shopping experience at the Lion Ballroom – off Broad Street, Leominster HR6 8DB

Herefordshire Art Week – first week in September 2024

Take your time to feel uplifted and inspired by Herefordshire’s creative people. Paula is exhibiting in two venues this year.

Art at the Lion Ballroom – Leominster

Apple Store Gallery – Hereford

You can find further details at h-art.org.uk