Jo Tyson is an artist, a mother, a teacher and an optimist.

She is an artist who paints the environment she loves and teaches the love of art to children and adults during the daily art classes she holds at her home.

When she gets time to herself, Jo paddles her canoe across Nelson Haven to the Boulder Bank to collect driftwood to paint on. Fully laden, she paddles home and later paints realistic fish, lighthouses and landscapes.

This environment of the sea, mountains beyond, seabirds, boats and ships provides the inspiration and joy that influences her work.

Jo grew up in the university city of Dunedin, Otago, a city rich in history and beautiful natural environment. Throughout her life she has holidayed in Wanaka, Central Otago, a majestic landscape which has a powerful influence on her.

She studied art at Otago School of Fine Arts and Dunedin Teachers' College in the 1970s.

Jo's work has been exhibited at the World of Wearable Art (WOW) Museum, the Suter Art Gallery and the Ron Barber Gallery in Wellington, to name but a few.