Ipswich artist draws on personal experience for Two Point Zero IT’s ‘Big Hoot’ design

Ipswich artist Jo Burrows drew on personal experience of the support offered by St Elizabeth Hospice to her dad, to design the Two Point Zero IT ‘Big Hoot’ owl for this year’s Ipswich art trail.

Jo, who paints professionally as ‘My Little Paintpot’, submitted her colourful design for consideration by the event sponsors, including the Ipswich-based IT support provider and her acknowledgment of the support that St Elizabeth Hospice had given her father Ralph during his last weeks in their care was a key part of her submission.
“Dad was admitted to the hospice in September 2020,” Jo explained, “at a time when there were so many restrictions in place they really made his last days as comfortable as possible. We were also able to visit him which was such a comfort”.

When it came to choosing their partner artist, Two Point Zero Director, Alex Chapman, and his team felt that the personal story behind Jo’s involvement added a poignant element to her proposal.
“Of all the amazing artists we were presented with it was the combination of Jo’s personal motivations and her eye-catching artwork that really drew us to her owl design” Alex continues. “The hospice is at the very heart of the Big Hoot so to work with someone who has personal experience of the work they do is all the more special.”

Jo’s owl is also a further nod to her dad, incorporating his love of the beach and his ‘always seaside ready’ outlook into her design.

“We can’t reveal any more about the design until the trail goes live on the 19th June” Alex explains, “but we are really excited for Jo’s design to be representing us and the work of St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich”.

The Two Point Zero owl will be positioned in Ipswich as part of the St Elizabeth Hospice ‘Big Hoot’ art trail, the third art trail brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, following the success of Pigs Gone Wild 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk 2019.

Follow Jo’s progress on the dedicated Instagram page @feelinghoothoothoot and Jo’s own My Little PaintPot Facebook page .