" I have known Jo for twenty years, first as a neighbour, a friend, a flatmate and now partner. Jo was an artist long before she obtained her qualifications, in fact she's always been an artist. I have seen so many creations, if I had to list them it would make my head spin. I've had the pleasure of seeing works developed out of joy, sadness, trials, victories, necessity and for fun, all with a dedication and determination to express her view of the world.
I love the simplicity and humour of the Captain Hawk and Lilith series which capture the eccentricity and pleasure of local characters who live out their travels in and around the beautiful Hawkes Bay.
I share Jo's love of the weird, and enjoy immensely her abstract work. There are many influences, such as Picasso, Brigitte Riley,
and my personal favourites Miro and Mondrian to name a few. I'm lucky enough to have plenty of such pieces hanging on our walls.
Jo has successfully recaptured the feeling of the mystery of nomadic life with her middle eastern works, which contain portraits and scenes of life in the fabulous deserts of Arabia.
Innocence is beautifully expressed with a wonderful group of characters drawn from childhood books, memories and experiences. These have been a source of delight to Jo's family and friends. They ignite the child in us.
"
" My husband and I are the proud owners of nine Jo Eagle works of art, our son has a painting, and our daughter has two. We have purchased five painting from Jo's very enjoyable exhibitions, and had a commission work done for our daughter, and have also gathered several other paintings over the years.
My daughter had always admired two of Jo's paintings that are bold swirling dribbling contrasting colours, and had always joked that when she left home they were leaving with her. I couldn't give up any of our Jo Eagle paintings, but wanted to give my daughter something as beautiful and original, so spoke to Jo about a commission work, in the same style of swirling dribbling contrasting colours' but in my daughters favourite colour pallet, of black, white, cerise pink, cobalt blue and silver.
Jo made this process very easy, I chose the size canvas and the specific colours, and let Jo work her magic. I was involved thru every step of the process right down to choosing the super glossy finish, which creates amazing reflections in sunlight, particularly the metallic silver in the painting. The resultant painting is nothing short of stunning - I don't have enough metaphors to describe it, but it is without a doubt more amazing than I could have ever imagined.
My daughter was astounded and utterly thrilled with Jo's painting, and it hangs in pride of place in her living room where it is oohed and ahhed over, by visitors.
My daughter also has a mixed media work, of geometric squares in black rubber spikes, and tiny white downy feathers. She loves the contrast of black and white squares, but also the tactile quality - you just have to touch the softness of the feathers and the elastic rubbery spikes.
Amongst our collection of Jo Eagle paintings, is one of my husband and me, in the delightful whimsical style of the 'Captain Hawk and Lilith' series, and like Captain Hawk, our dog is included in the foreground.
We also have a collection of three boldly coloured and textured abstracts and a pair of Gold and Red paintings which are a 'little hug' and a 'big kiss' which are vibrantly coloured and boldly painted but are also perfectly titled.
I doubt that there is a single person who has entered our home without commenting on the amazing paintings and the high quality of the work. We have had nothing but compliments about every single one.
Jo's paintings have an energy about them - every painting has a piece of Jo's heart and soul in it. To Jo, painting is a like tonic - she expresses her thoughts and emotions with colour and texture and form. Jo Eagle is talented, professional, truly artistic and born to paint.
Nine Jo Eagle painting isn't enough - if we run out of walls to hang them on, we will have to build another room.
I would highly recommend Jo Eagles work and wish her well for the future."
Yours Truly,
[Mrs] Sue Stewart.
Jo's studio is a foreboding place for us 'un-arty' types. Full of creativity, colours, texture and love. we can only guess what peace, happiness and conflict goes on there!
Having decided to entrust one of our family memories to her, she turned our daughters favourite story book, The Bear Hunt into our own 'Narnia' and put us all in the forest to stumble trip on our venture.
If the 'wave' was coming, that picture would be with our family as we drove to high ground!
Louise Parsons
