Jo's bio

     





                

Hi,

 My name is  Jo Harrigan.

 I set up appledownArt  in lockdown 2020 with the help of my husband Lee, who took early retirement from his travels with the Formula one to be with our youngest son Aidan. We gathered  all the art work together that I did during this period and before.

I have lived in the Wyre Forest in Kidderminster,  Worcestershire for most of my life, apart from a few years in London, working in the West end theatre and then in the O.T department at Charing Cross hospital, which is where I found my vocation in the care sector. I met and married Lee, we have been together for over 35 years now (wow!) and have three children and one grandson.

 I have worked  in Special needs education and support work for twenty five years and have found many friends along the way. We attend Kidderminster Covenant church, which meets At "Leapgate" activity centre, a farm that provides day facilities for adults with special needs.

I have been drawing and doodling for most of my life and am now using my hobby to help raise money for "Cure leukaemia" a charity that is helping our youngest son Aidan or "Chum" as we like to call him. My latest book
"Be more Chum" is a collection of doodles and drawing done when we have stayed in hospital with Chum and at clinic. He is truly an inspiration. our eldest daughter Enya and our son Robbie have been raising money for the "Teenage cancer trust. Our friend Angie held a garden party last year and recently "Leapgate" Activity centre, where Aidan goes during the day, did a big fundraiser too.

 As well as having Downs syndrome Aidan , was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukaemia in lockdown. He keeps himself cheerful and seems to see the good in everything...life is for the living.he finished his maintenance treatment in Nov22 and is now in remission, however, because because he has mixed bilineage leukaemia which  can't be cured, he will remain on chemo in some form for the forseeable future.

My website also has two books "View from a Cherry tree.."  and "View from a Christmas tree.." about my childhood growing up on a farm, that I dedicated to my special mother of whom died in 2018. Everyone knew her as "Sue!" She would love the fact that I am using the book to raise money for charity. In 2022 to coincide with Aidan's 18th Birthday, we self published a book called "Be more Chum"..a little memoir of the past few years, with lots of sketches of Chum,that I drew in clinic and at hospital to help in all the waiting. he is such a great muse!

I love drawing/illustrating/painting and do a lot of art for the church we, as a family go to, my Christian faith overflows into all the work I do. I find the pictures i do seem to encourage me and others,through all circumstances in life.We thank God every day for the progress Chum is making, however, we are learning to live in the moment as he  does.

After costs  25% profits go  to the above charity.

Jo Harrigan 2023

Have a look at all my pages,as they give more  information of my books and other art work
.