about

 Joanna Clay is a contemporary artist and illustrator based in Nottingham, U.K.​ ​Her paintings pay homage to her love of the natural world and celebrate all things pattern, colour and texture. She works across painting, printmaking and mixed media, although her primary tried-and-true medium is acrylic on canvas.

Drawing inspiration from her love of travel and the outdoors, Joanna’s work depicts landscapes and familiar organic shapes with an intuitive, expressive, and painterly hand. A central component of her practice is a strong desire to capture and preserve memories. She intends for her paintings to act as vessels through which the viewer can experience, witness, and respond emotionally to the scenes and moments she has encountered and lived through.
 

Having earned a First-Class BA (Hons) in Printed Textiles Design from Loughborough University (2014–2018), she began her career as a commercial surface pattern designer and illustrator.

 

Over the past five years, Joanna has worked independently as a freelancer. She has been commissioned by and collaborated with a wide range of clients, from international organisations to local companies, and has exhibited her artwork in solo and small-scale exhibitions.

In 2024, she curated a solo show at the Oxford Castle Quarter titled Through The Window in which she exhibited an array of her paintings inspired by the city of Oxford.

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Alongside her studio practice, Joanna regularly delivers painting and printmaking workshops, creating welcoming, beginner-friendly spaces that encourage creativity, confidence and connection through art. She is passionate about making the arts accessible and enjoys sharing both traditional techniques and playful experimentation with participants of all experience levels.

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Her original paintings, limited edition prints and paper goods have been exhibited and collected throughout the U.K., and she is always interested in opportunities to collaborate with galleries, independent retailers and creative organisations.