Artist Statement
Artist Jo Guscott is a contemporary realist whose work is rooted in close observation and a deep appreciation for the natural world around her. Her paintings and prints often feature the water, land, and people of the Jersey Shore captured in a way that feels both grounded and gently poetic. From surfers riding waves to marine life to gentle waves lapping at the sand, she captures the rhythms of the beach.
Guscott works primarily in oil paint and linocut printmaking, using each medium to explore different ways of seeing and feeling. When she paints, the process is slow and deliberate, allowing her to focus intently on form, color, and mood. Printmaking, by contrast, offers a sense of freedom and surprise. The carving and inking of each linocut introduce subtle variations, so no two prints are exactly alike. This balance between control and spontaneity is central to her practice.
Art-making is also a personal and intuitive experience for Guscott. She enters a state of flow while working space where time fades, focus sharpens, and emotion quietly guides each decision. Her use of light, airy colors and softened realism reflects an admiration for Impressionist techniques, while still maintaining her own contemporary voice. Through her work, Guscott invites viewers to slow down, connect, and find a sense of calm in familiar yet thoughtfully observed scenes.
Bio
Jo Guscott is a New Jersey–based artists known for oil painting and linocut prints that capture moments of light, atmosphere, seascapes, and the beauty of nature.
Guscott’s work is exhibited in local galleries near her home in Pine Beach, NJ. She is an active member of the Toms River Artist Community, the Ocean County Artists Guild, Monmouth Arts, and Audubon Artists in New York City. Her work has received several local awards, including second place in the graphics category at the 2023 Audubon Artists Juried Show.
She first developed her technical skills through studio classes in oil painting at The Perkins Institute in Moorestown, NJ. After a long teaching career, Guscott transitioned fully into her art practice in 2017 and expanded her abilities through the Ocean County Artists Guild, where she teaches printmaking, sharing both technique and process with fellow artists. She supplements her learning with online courses from LightScapes Studio.
Guscott grew up surrounded by art and design, shaped by a family lineage that includes accomplished painters, graphic designers, and even a Washington Post cartoonist. She proudly carries on her family’s tradition through her artistic practice.