Jo Rizzato studied Textile Design and Printing at the Roehampton Institute in London before pursuing a career in administration. Although painting had always been an interest, it was only after retiring that she was able to devote herself to it fully, developing her practice over the past decade.
Largely self-taught as a painter, Jo credits her background in textile design with giving her a strong understanding of colour and composition, while teaching herself to move away from the more graphic qualities of her earlier work towards a freer, more expressive style.
After years living in London, as well as periods in Italy and the Middle East, Jo and her husband settled in Manningtree, where they restored and extended their home. The surrounding landscape has since become the focus of her painting, with the Stour estuary providing a constant source of inspiration.
Jo has exhibited with galleries across East Anglia, including Hayletts Gallery, Maldon; Gallery East, Woodbridge; The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe; The Maltings Gallery, Snape; The Naze Tower Gallery, Walton-on-the-Naze; Merlina Arts Gallery, Earsham; and The Caxton Gallery, Frinton-on-Sea. She is a member of the Colchester Art Society.