About two years ago, graphic designer and keen artist Joanna Harris took on a small studio at Town Court Farm – an artistic hub in Bayham Road, Tunbridge Wells, with lots of painters, ceramicists and sculptors renting creative space.
Many regularly exhibit their work to the general public at events like South East Open Studios, while others run courses and small workshops.
When Joanna, a mother of two, saw the space she knew that it was the right environment to immerse herself in her artistic endeavours.
“Working at my kitchen table had been a great place to nurture my graphic design and illustration business – and it definitely worked initially as I had two children to look after.
“However, I personally found that not having the space or a suitable environment often inhibited the experimentation side of my ‘hands on’ creativity.
“I think everyone knows that feeling of having collected the necessary art equipment together, it’s almost time to tidy it all away again, so sometimes I felt like ‘why bother?’ But with a designated space at Town Court Farm I felt like I had finally come home,” she says.
“I chose Town Court Farm as a base because, as much as I love living in Tunbridge Wells, I am a country girl at heart. If I can see some green and be inspired by a walk up the lane then this will definitely help the creative process for me. I can often be seen with my secateurs collecting plant samples from the hedgerows for my work!”
Joanna studied weaving at Middlesex University before going on to work as a graphic designer and also in the art department of a secondary school, so it’s clear that art runs deep in her veins.
She says she decided to launch her artistic venture Art By The Yard as she knew ‘how much joy it brings’.
“I love to discover and practise a new technique. There’s that palpable magical moment as ideas start to take shape. It’s like discovering and finding a sort of child-like excitement and I wanted to bring that feeling to others. I’ve been really fortunate to have been in creative environments all my life,” adds Joanna.
Having acquired these various artistic skills over the years, and combined with her love of teaching, Joanna decided to launch Art By The Yard into the world.
“My timing was impeccable – I did it just as we entered into lockdown!” she laughs.
But undeterred, and when government guidelines allowed, she took her classes outside.
“For printing work I use a Cyanotype, which is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print and actually harnesses UV light, so what better medium to use outside?”
Despite everything, the al-fresco lessons took off and Joanna started to add more to her Art By The Yard offering, including painting.
“My watercolour classes were also held in the picturesque setting of Town Court flower farm. How fabulous to have the opportunity to not just paint a few blooms but to be able to choose from a whole field of them?”
With the onset of the additional lockdowns, however, Joanna says she sadly had to close Art By The Yard’s doors for a period of time.
“I had to do so for many months until I was allowed to open for children’s art workshops and after-school clubs.”
Yet despite the teething problems, Joanna says that running Art By The Yard means that she can facilitate creativity for all ages and abilities, and absolutely loves bringing people together.
“Often we work around a large table, which gives participants – young or old – the opportunity to engage in an activity that perhaps they wouldn’t do at home. I guess it’s about sparking ideas and processes that might lead to a continued hobby, or even a career.
“Being together with other like-minded people is such a benefit, not only learning from each other but having time to talk with similar folk is equally important.
“I find that by giving people enough skills to work through a technique enables children and adults to go home with something they have created that they are happy with.”
As well as teaching various classes, Joanna also produces her own work.
“I have a collection of illustrated cards for sale in Zaven’s gift shop on Mount Ephraim. And I have done signature illustrations of The Pantiles which can be found on limited editions prints, cards and tea towels online.”
Before having her children, Joanna worked for an advertising agency in Tunbridge Wells. She says that she has always found that her graphic design, illustration and fine art-based work feed off one other.
“My creative approach makes me a better designer, and my skill for a good page layout helps give my illustration a commercial edge. It’s great to be able to earn a living using these different skills.”
Joanna took part in this year’s inaugural Fringe Festival, where she ran Cyanotype workshops at the Inside Café and The Zero Waste Café.
“It was very picturesque to have The Pantiles as a location,” she says of the latter.
This autumn Joanna says she will be taking her creative workshops ‘on the road’.
“I’ll be doing my own after-school club at Art By The Yard and I will also be running one at The Wells Free School.
“I also have some new creative workshops in town which will be confirmed soon, and at Christmas I will taking bookings for wreath-making workshops in people’s kitchens.”
“You sound like a very busy lady,” I say, to which she replies: “Well, as Maya Angelou said: ‘You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have’. So why stop here?”
For more information on Joanna’s art classes for all ages and abilities, visit: artbytheyard.co.uk
