Anyone who has enjoyed a bracing walk along the North East coast or a ramble through the moors of Northumberland would agree that our region is home to the most spectacular scenery - and one Cullercoats-based artist has immortalised the beauty of the area through incredible paintings.
Born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Joanne Wishart, 44, grew up surrounded by the stunning Northumberland countryside, from visiting her grandparents in Alnmouth to spending the summers of her childhood playing on Cocklawburn beach. Exploring the region’s breathtaking coastline inspired her to capture its beauty in her artwork.
“I get inspired by the North East coast because it's places that I go with my family for walks and lovely days out,” Joanne says. “I just want to create that memory through my paintings.”
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Joanne’s favourite subjects include the iconic Bamburgh castle and beach, as well as Northumberland’s rolling Simonside Hills when the heather is in full bloom. She also enjoys a stroll around “beautiful” Cullercoats to find inspiration for her work.
As well as beautiful landscapes, some of her paintings depict the “characterful” wildlife that can be found along the coast, from puffins to grey seals. Joanne says she is drawn to bright, “uplifting” colours and enjoys finding patterns in nature to reflect in her paintings.
Her work is all about capturing the feeling of joy that comes with a special day out in the North East. “I like to quickly sketch the vibrancy of the place to get the essence of it, and I like to create the happiness of that day and that moment,” Joanne explains.
Now living in North Shields, Joanne achieved her “lifelong dream” of opening her own gallery in Cullercoats in 2019. As well as paintings and prints, Joanne’s work can also be found on greeting cards, mugs and coasters, offering locals and tourists alike a perfect memento to remind them of the beautiful North East.
“We have lots of local customers who are very loyal, and they come in and support us, which is fantastic,” Joanne says. “But also we have people that travel two or three hours to come here on holiday, and they will seek us out - which is really nice to think that they've travelled so far to come and see my work.”
Joanne’s work is stocked in gift shops and galleries all over the country, including local spots such as the National Glass Centre in Sunderland and the Aln Gift Shop in Alnmouth. Joanne says she is “really proud” of what she has achieved with her art, having started off with a stall at Tynemouth Market using her garage as a makeshift stock room.
Interest in her work comes back to a desire to hold onto those precious memories of days out along the coast, Joanne says. "I aim for my paintings to transport people back to that special place and relive those feelings of joy," she explains.
“When customers buy a painting, I think they really connect with the place. They've experienced that walk on that beach, or that happy memory with their family,” she adds. “They can take home that piece of happiness with them.”
A selection of Joanne's work is available from her studio, Joanne Wishart Gallery, on St George's Road in Cullercoats. Her art can also be ordered online via her website, with delivery available worldwide.
Watch the video above to see more of Joanne’s work as she paints from her Cullercoats studio and gallery.
