Bringing Art to Life, or Life to Art?

JoJo Charlie is a collaboration of husband and wife team, Jo & Steve Neale. Jo is very much the creative artist, using her eye for detail, imagination and above all, patience to put together truly awesome and creative pieces. Steve is who Jo turns to for making things!

From using cutting edge tools and technology, to traditional artistic tools and methods, the two skill-sets come together to produce stunning 3D mixed media fine art.

Art should not always be about meanings and messages, it can also just be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, or even a bit of fun.

From our handmade feature bookcase, through the Animal Explores series, to the stunning Tree of Life Series with nods to Steampunk along the way, we hope you’ll enjoy our pictures for years to come.

Come and see for yourself - we have an little area inside Josephine’s at Nottingham, right opposite the Theatre Royal, you cannot miss it.

A large wooden display cabinet filled with books, curiosities, and small decorative items including busts, animals, and figurines. A clock hangs at the top center. The cabinet has labeled drawers and compartments, with plants on the sides and a stain

Close-up image of a colorful decorative plant with purple, glittery butterfly and green leaves, positioned on a wooden surface.

A decorative butterfly jewelry piece with green and blue glittery wings, placed on a dark wooden surface with green fern leaves underneath. There is a cluster of colorful artificial flowers, gears, and chains with red and orange gemstones nearby.

Close-up of a vintage clock with gears and a sparkling jewel in the center, mounted on a textured wooden surface.

ABOUT US

2014 was a terrible year. Cancer. Treatment. Fears. Tears. Worry.

2015 was hope, reset, a journey to recovery. Charlie. Walks, fun, friendship, loyalty. Charlie is a Border Collie. If you understand Border Collies, they aren’t just dogs. The world would be a better place with more Border Collies in it!

2018 saw the opening of a restaurant, Josephine’s. A creatively unique venue, flamboyant and brave. “It’ll never work” & “you’ll last 6 months - I’m an accountant I know about these things” was the common passing phrase by alleged experts. Never tell a cancer survivor what they can and cannot do! And beware some experts - follow your heart, follow your dreams, for hearts and dreams bring meaning to life.

2020 was a setback for everyone. But a chance to catch a breath and re-invent. Josephine’s needed a refresh. Jo and Charlie stayed home, Jo getting back into art that she’d not done for years. Passing the time. A slightly inconvenient brush with Covid ultimately helped with focus.

Fast forward to a crumbling society and a restaurant still hanging on in there whilst others around it collapse. Another redecoration due - this time displaying some of the art Jo (& Charlie through moral guidance) has done gets displayed. Customers inquisitive. Staff amazed.

How much for the cat picture. Wait. You want to buy THAT? Sold. It was only there because it fitted the space. Steve starts getting involved - cursed with some limited technical skills, invests in the tools to make the things that Jo needs to bring the art to life. Both now involved, and Charlie keeping us grounded with walks and talks. Never underestimate the power of going for a walk and talking, dreaming, aspiring and just releasing yourself from the stress & chains of life. No commercial aspect as yet, just because art is fun, relaxing and a creative escape.

2026: A tree - practically stalked by a customer wanting to buy it. A Giraffe - another customer wanting to buy that. People taking photos. Constant enquiries. Hmmm.

And so JoJo Charlie was born. And you are here.