Meet the Cartel: Jo Peel

Welcome back to our interview series Meet the Cartel, a spotlight on Big Cartel shop owners. Today we want to introduce you to Jo Peel, a multi-disciplinary artist out of Sheffield, England.

How did you get into making your art?

I've always made my artwork, but it wasn't until I moved to London from Falmouth that people started to respond to the work that I make. It was with the help of Ric Blackshaw, of Scrawl Collective, who took a punt on an unknown artist at a pop-up exhibition in Carnaby Street and showed some screen prints that I'd been working on. I sold my work at that exhibition - and that gave me the confidence to keep on going. Since then I have continued to make work and the screen prints that I sell on my Big Cartel site are made from ink drawings that I make. Alongside these prints, I also make original paintings on canvas, large-scale murals on walls, films, and animations, all featuring my meticulously hand-drawn buildings and bricks!

Editor's note: head over to Jo's Vimeo and prepare to be mesmerized.

Why did you choose Big Cartel?

I chose Big Cartel because it is clean and easy to use, I wanted a site that makes sense and lets the products speak for themselves.

Tell us about your most popular item in your shop

My shop is where I sell my limited edition prints, so when they're gone, they're gone! My most popular prints include Henderson's Relish factory and Parkhill Flats, both in Sheffield.

And what's your favorite item in your shop?

My favourite print in the shop is one of my latest ones, Queen's Hotel, a drawing made over the past couple of years and recently made into a hand finished print.

Why did you choose your current theme for your shop?

I chose the current theme because it works well on desktop and phone, it is nice and easy to navigate and see all the prints.

Check out the Luna theme for your own Big Cartel shop.

What does a regular workday look like for you?

There's no such thing as a regular workday, as it is so varied, but my favourite elements of my days are painting and drawing in the studio or painting a large scale mural on a sunny day.

Who or what inspires you?

I'm inspired by the urban environment, by it's ever changing topography and the way that change, including gentrification, affects the people that live there.

What's a moment in your career, or life in general, that you're proud of?

I'm proud that I can make a living creating artwork.

What was the most unexpected challenge you have encountered while running your own business? How did you overcome that challenge?

Knowing when to say yes and when to say no ... I'm afraid I'm still learning but I have managed to say no a lot more recently.

Any advice for someone thinking about opening up their own shop?

Just go for it! It takes time to build a business so throw yourself in and work hard.

Give us three recommendations... for anything!

Top threes are always so difficult because I love so many things, it's impossible to choose. But at the moment I am listening to the podcast Tape Notes, reading Sally Rooney's latest book Beautiful World, Where are You and still loving Patti Smith, Just Kids.

Where else can people find you online?

jopeel.com and @jo_peel on Instagram.