Jo Beer is a painter based in Cornwall UK.

Taught at A ‘level’ by Newlyn School artist Vincent Wilson, her work has self developed since.

Predominantly figurative, she explains “ The wonderful thing about people is that there is no such thing as an 'ordinary' person...everyone has something extraordinary about them, something that makes them stand out from the next person” 

Jo aims to illustrate that quality with contemporary, intimate studies of her sitters, often choosing unconventional composition or subject matter, quirky details and characters, and always in oil.

Twice featured in Sky Art Portrait Artist of the Year, with one of her images ( not pretty but pretty honest) being selected to appear repeatedly in a huge installation depicting The Mona Lisa on Clapham Common, London following series one, and with actor Parminder Nagra choosing her portrait to take home with her in series 3.

In 2025 Jo was selected as one of 46 artists from 1400+ submissions to exhibit in the Herbert Smith Freehills  Kramer Portrait Award Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Jo has exhibited extensively in the UK both with solo exhibitions and as part of collectives.

As well as producing work to sell through galleries, she also regularly undertakes private commissions, and is always very pleased to discuss requests and ideas.

Jo regularly provides portrait workshops in local schools.

Publications…Jo’s work has featured in Artwalk Magazine NYC, Encyclopaedia of Oil Techniques ( by Jeremy Galton), A Little Book Of Portraits ( Sky Arts), Cube 3 Gallery, Plymouth Signpost Exhibitions Volume 4,5,6,7.

2025 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award. National Portrait Gallery, London.

2024 Women In Art, Mall Galleries,London

2024 Delamore Arts Summer Show, Cornwood, Devon.UK

2022 Tom,’ Dick & Harry’ solo exhibition TRP Gallery, UK.                                          

2020 ‘Into The Light’ Plymouth, UK

2019 'On The Face Of It' solo show TRP Gallery, UK 

2018 Atelier an der Donau, Ybbs, Austria...residency
2018 'Future Pathways' Cube 3 Gallery, Plymouth, UK
2018 'Celebrate Life', The Harbour House, Kingsbridge, Devon. UK
2017 ' String of Theories' Cube 3, Gallery, UK

2016 'Fleshy' solo exhibition. Theatre Royal Plymouth, UK.
2016 Forms of Consciousness, Cube3 Gallery, Devon.

2015 'Unconscious Dialogue' exhibition, Cube3 Gallery, Plymouth.
2015 'Portraiture' juried exhibition, Linus Gallery, Pasadena,CA
2014 'Plymouth Adorned' Theatre Royal Gallery, Devon. Solo portrait exhibition.
2013 Featured in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of The Year

2013 'In Bloom' Redearth Gallery, Bickleigh, Devon.  

2013 The Saltash Ferryman unveiled. Jo is part of the team that created a Heritage Lottery Funded public sculpture to conserve the history of the ferry that crossed the Tamar at Saltash for over 900 years.
2013 Versions Of You, Milk No Sugar, Brighton Fringe Festival, UK
2013 Trerise Gallery, Plymouth, UK
2012 Trerise Gallery Open Art Competition, Plymouth, UK - Jo takes first prize with "Slice of Phoebe" portrait
2012 Ashtorre Rock, Saltash, Cornwall, UK
2011 Saltash Library, Cornwall, UK
2009 Artstyle Show, Cotehele House, Cornwall, UK
2008 Drawn To The Valley group exhibition, Mount Edgecumbe, Cornwall, UK
2008 Upton Cross Open Art Show, Cornwall, UK
2008 Saltash Library, Cornwall, UK
2005 Stuart House Open Art Competition, Liskeard, Cornwall, UK
1999 Town Hall Open Art Competition, Liskeard, Cornwall, UK
1994 Theatre Royal, Plymouth, UK