James Owen Thomas
Collage using recycled materials - mixed media
Pateley Bridge

James Owen Thomas
Collage using recycled materials - mixed media
Pateley Bridge

My work
About my work
In the eight years that I have been creating collages from thousands of tiny pieces of discarded National Lottery scratch cards and other recycled materials, it is good to know that I have given people pleasure when they see my art exhibitions. They are amazed that I can produce art from what most consider to be just rubbish and how I am making a positive statement about recycling. I developed my own unique style of “environmental art”, which I have been exhibiting since the age of fifteen in the north as well as Milton Keynes, Swansea, East Sussex and Edinburgh.
The subjects I have chosen for my artwork are linked to places where I have lived (East Sussex and North Yorkshire) or that have family connections both past and present.
Using hole-punched circular pieces, cut or torn strips pasted layer upon layer, my collages create a 3D effect and have been described as “innovative and ground breaking”. I have an artist’s showreel:
This year I have been working on a number of private and corporate commissions, including an exciting project for Great British Racing in London. I produced a piece of art from previous raceday materials to celebrate the Coronation.
About
Also known by my initials JOT, I am an award-winning environmental artist from North Yorkshire who turns unwanted material into something creative and unique. I give talks about my form of art and I run workshops which take place at Fishpond Wood, Bewerley where I am artist in residence. My workshops also take place at other venues and online.
I am a Tree Council Ambassador who became a COP26 One Step Greener Ambassador in 2021 when I received an invitation to Downing Street and to COP26 Glasgow. A letter from the Prime Minister recognises my artwork in relation to COP26 and to the fundraising I have done through my artwork.
In December 2022 I opened my first art gallery in my home town of Pateley Bridge. Earlier this year I was pleased to receive a Highly Commended award in the under 30 category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards.
Since appearing on Gardener’s World last year I have started selling my artwork overseas. I have been asked to write a book about my life, my autism and my artwork by a London publishing house.

NiddArt Trail Live
Find me at:
JOT's Gallery, Pateley Bridge
18th - 20th, 23rd - 27th August, 11am - 3pm
For further details of what's going on at JOT's Gallery, Pateley Bridge over the NiddArt Trail
Contact
- Website: www.jamesowenthomas.com
- Email: art@jamesowenthomas.com
- Phone: 07957 209987
-
See my work at:
- JOT’s Gallery
- Dales Market Corner
- Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse in Blubberhouses
- Town End Farm in Airton
- Horticap in Harrogate
- Daisy Mays in Harrogate
- Fodder in Harrogate
- Henshaws in Knaresborough
- Moorlands Gallery in Bedale
- Ripon Cathedral and The Ripon Walled Garden.
- Facebook: James Owen Thomas Collage Artist - JOT
- Instagram: @james_owen_thomas
- Twitter: -