When visitors stop to admire Jo Pedersen’s artwork at the inaugural Tauranga Art Show this month, they will see more than her years of creative experimentation and technical skill.

They will glimpse a woman who has healed herself through art, finding her way back from illness, loss and some of life’s most challenging seasons.

Raised in Auckland, and encouraged to prioritise academic achievement over artistic pursuits, Pedersen always intuitively knew she was creative. She dabbled in art history studies but never considered art a realistic career pathway.

“Art was always a sideline thing. I knew I was creative, but there wasn’t really room for that growing up.”

Jo Pedersen painting one of her signature acrylic wave artworks, symbolising life's challenges. Photo / Supplied

It wasn’t until 2007, during a big life change, that she picked up a paintbrush as a way to process her emotions.

An outlet

“I started painting simply as an outlet. It helped me work through what I was experiencing. Then I realised, ‘Actually, I can do this’.”

What began as therapy became a passion. Pedersen completed several tertiary art papers, experimented with mediums and techniques, and ultimately taught herself much of what she knows today.

She became interested in abstract art for its expressive qualities, but found herself challenged by years of structured, analytical thinking. “I had to overcome my academic wiring to become an abstract artist. I’m actually very intuitive, but I didn’t really know that until I started painting,” the Tauranga resident said.

Her breakthrough came when she discovered encaustic wax painting, a centuries-old technique that combines heated beeswax with pigments.

“When I found encaustic wax, I thought, ‘This is different.’ It allowed me to loosen control and become more creative. The wax has a life of its own, and that freedom was exactly what I needed.”

Jo Pedersen creating one of her encaustic wax artworks with layers of molten beeswax and pigment. Photo / Supplied

Over time, she developed her own techniques and style, creating richly layered works that explore the intersection of nature, human emotion, spirituality and the cosmos.

Alongside encaustic wax work, she produces acrylic pieces with different meanings, and many inspired by nature and the ocean.

“The waves are about the power of nature and the power of humanity. A wave can feel overwhelming when you’re knocked by it, but eventually it rolls on. That’s true in life, too.”

Her encaustic works often take three to eight months to complete, with layers of wax creating depth and movement that shift as viewers move around the room.

“They’re not just one subject. I weave together elements of nature and human experience. The longer people spend with them, the more they discover.”

Drawn to Tauranga

After spending 14 years in the United Kingdom, Pedersen returned to New Zealand in December 2014 and settled in Tauranga, drawn by family.

However, one of her greatest challenges was still to come.

At the end of 2022, despite being healthy and active, she began experiencing debilitating symptoms that left her searching for answers.

“I thought it was hormonal. Then a suspicious spot turned out to be a highly invasive form of cancer.”

LifePaths by Jo Pedersen. Photo / Supplied

Thankfully, the skin cancer was detected and removed quickly before it could spread. But Pedersen’s health continued to deteriorate.

“I was struggling to shower, drive, carry groceries and even walk properly. I lost my balance. I couldn’t watch screens. I started losing weight rapidly and my body wasn’t digesting food. I could feel my body shutting down.

“I now realise it was my nervous system failing – rather like a car that is running on empty and gradually slowing to a complete halt.”

After extensive testing, Pedersen was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), alongside severe hormonal imbalance associated with menopause.

The diagnosis was confronting, particularly as she was facing the illness largely alone.

“I did have some people who I didn’t know who came to my assistance, and I was grateful for their help – but I was acutely aware that I needed to go deep within to get myself through this.”

Self-love lesson

Determined not to surrender to hopelessness, Pedersen drew upon her extensive knowledge and training in health and wellness to support her recovery.

“The first thing I told myself was that there could be no negative thoughts. I had to stay positive if I was going to get through this.”

The experience forced her to fundamentally rethink her relationship with herself.

“It became the biggest lesson in self-love I’ve ever had. I had to stop pushing myself and start valuing myself. I had to learn to tell myself, ‘I love you’.”

Recovery was slow and often frustrating, she said.

“I had to accept that this wasn’t something I could simply fix overnight. It’s a nervous system condition that requires protection, patience and rest.

“Having always been a foodie and understanding the importance of healthy food, I didn’t know how to resolve this until being reminded of the Chinese medicine road to healing.

“To help the body recover, you must eat food to nourish gently – so I resorted to soups and easily digestible food. A few ingredients, not the array I was used to using.”

Slowly, it became easier to eat most foods, although she remains cautious. At last, the enjoyment of eating returned, marking a milestone in her journey of recovery and returning to her former self.

Have hope

By the summer of 2024-25, Pedersen began picking up a paintbrush again.

“I realised I needed some happiness in my life. Art became my therapy once more.”

As her health gradually improved, so too did her ability to create. “The more I painted, the better I felt. And the better I felt, the more I could create.”

That makes her participation in the inaugural Tauranga Art Show particularly meaningful.

“This show allows me to put myself back out into the world after everything I’ve been through.”

Jo Pedersen will exhibit her work at the inaugural Tauranga Art Show this month. Photo / Supplied

Pedersen has begun writing about her experiences, documenting insights and reflections that emerged during her healing journey.

“When I was sick and couldn’t do much else, I started adding to the writings I started in the UK. Knowledge about healing, sharing my realisations and stories became a necessary process on the journey – I’m now writing a book that I hope will help others going through similar experiences.

“I want people to know that recovery from ME/CFS is possible. I want people to have hope. We all have more strength within us than we realise.”

Visitors to Tauranga Art Show will have a rare opportunity to experience Pedersen’s encaustic and acrylic works, usually available only as commissions, from August 28-30 at Mercury Baypark Arena.