PORTFOLIO | Jo McKeown Art

A collection of narrative illustration projects exploring atmosphere, symbolism and environment.

Illustration Pathway -

Illustration Pathway develops a personal visual language through atmospheric, narrative-led imagery that explores symbolism, environment and transformation.

Illustration - Slemish Mountain and the Fairy Thorn
Watercolour and ink on paper (46 x 61 cm)

The Fairy Well of Lagnanay
Samuel Ferguson (1865)

"I'll go away to Slemish Hill,
I'll pluck the fairy hawthorn-tree,
And let the spirits work their will;"

Illustration - Li Ban and the Mermaid's Cave, Dunluce Castle

Watercolour and ink on paper (36 x 51 cm)

Inspired by The Mermaid of Lough Neagh in Enchanted Ireland by Kieran Fanning (2025).

"For the next hundred years, she swam from sea to lonely sea."

FMP Enchanted Realms

Project Video

Illustration Pathway - Hawthorn Tree

A mixed media exploration of atmosphere and symbolism, combining traditional drawing with digital colour layering.

Illustration Pathway - Graphite Eye

Graphite study – light and texture

Illustration Pathway - Cosmic Garden

Digital Illustration – Imagined environment

Illustration Pathway - Mermaid (mixed media)

Traditional drawing developed through digital layering

Illustration - Urban Sounds
Urban Sounds explores movement, rhythm and atmosphere within city environments through narrative and sequential imagery.

Illustration - Urban Sounds

Narrative illustration –

Sound, movement & perspective

Illustration - Urban Sounds

Narrative illustration

Illustration - Urban Sounds

Narrative illustration –

Storyboard

Textures & Layers

Textures & Layers explores how physical textures can be transformed through digital layering to create depth, atmosphere, and immersive visual environments.

Textures & Layers

Digital Layered Experiment