JO DYER

What gets you up in the morning?

Coffee! But actually my dog Miff, who is always so enthusiastic about our walk to get coffee.

What is the strangest job you’ve had?

When I was a uni student I had a casual job as an actor. One role was acting as a simulator patient for medical students during their assessments.

Another role was part of a public health study about alcohol and involved me going to licensed premises and acting drunk to see if staff would refuse me service!

'Colour Sprigs XIII,' 43 x 53 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $795 AVAILABLE

What are you absolutely loving at the moment?

Spring weather and planning what herbs and flowers I'd like to grow.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Being a full-time artist is fairly new for me, but it’s nearly been a year and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far and really excited to keep evolving and growing as an artist.

'Colour Sprigs XI,' 33 x 33 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $495 AVAILABLE

'Colour Sprigs XII,' 28 x 33 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $495 AVAILABLE

What really makes you happy?

It sounds boring but I’m really appreciating having a good routine at the moment.

Lockdown is so challenging but I’m enjoying maintaining little daily rituals - making sure I get out of the house each day, having one thing to accomplish each day (but otherwise keeping my expectations pretty low), and just trying to appreciate little things.

What is your favourite thing about being an artist?

I love being self-employed and having the freedom to structure my days as I need.

It’s also been really wonderful to have to prioritise creativity and inspiration in my daily life. It's definitely helped me stay sane through such a difficult time and to focus on more positive things.

It’s also been really wonderful to have to prioritise creativity and inspiration in my daily life.

'Colour Sprigs XIV,' 43 x 53 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $795 AVAILABLE

I’m enjoying maintaining little daily rituals - making sure I get out of the house each day, having one thing to accomplish each day (but otherwise keeping my expectations pretty low), and just trying to appreciate little things.

'Colour Sprigs XVI,' 60 x 60 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $795 AVAILABLE

'Colour Sprigs XV,' 60 x 60 cm, Mixed media on canvas, framed in ash, $795 AVAILABLE

Being a full-time artist is fairly new for me, but it’s nearly been a year and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far and really excited to keep evolving and growing as an artist.