21 Day Voice Over Challenge

21 Day Voice Over Challenge - what's it all about?

“It’s so hard when you can’t do the job you love, such as acting or performing - it defines us, so having a creative outlet for mental health is essential. Everyone is loving it and I am so grateful for the chance to share my 
knowledge and experience.”

Creative Chameleon, Jo Pickard began her career as an actress, working on TV and Theatre in the North. Performing has always been a driving force for her, from the grand old age of 6 entertaining in her parents pub! 
After making the big move to London, Jo realised she was a small fish in a very huge pond, so retrained as a presenter and has never looked back! Although the journey has not been an easy one, with rejection and failure heavily playing their parts, it’s paved the way for a headstrong, focused and talented creative!

Presenting at some of the biggest sporting events in the world, Jo has been the face of the London and Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games, two round the world Volvo Ocean Races, and hundreds of high-profile events in the UK, including Chris Evan’s Carfest and Tom Kerridge’s Pub in The Park. 

Realising she didn’t want to travel so much after meeting her husband and settling her roots back in the North, Jo refocused on an area she had always loved – Voice Over work. Now recording from her home studio, you’ll hear her tones across the likes of ITV, Channel 4 and five and currently cracking into the world of animation and gaming.

When lockdown struck, Jo like many, lost 80% of her work pretty much overnight and the struggle of being home alone began to take its toll. With a farming husband out at work most the day, the large events industry and major international flights not looking to be normal anytime soon – Jo set her mind to creating something she could manage from home that would help others as well as keep her own mind active. 

With a firm focus of keeping busy, calls with friends to bounce around ideas and stay sane – the 21 Day Voice Over Challenge rocketed into life.

The 21 Day Voice Over Challenge features loads of content to gain better understanding of the incredibly diverse voice over industry. It’s an opportunity to learn new skills, push yourself and get creative – even if you’ve never tried anything professionally. The challenges cover everything from audiobooks, gaming, animation but also scripts, tips and tricks along with positive quotes and encouragement to keep you going. So far the challenge has been a huge hit and has even had the likes of Liam Fox from Emmerdale and BGT finalist swing and rat pack singer Andrew Bourn taking part!

Whilst its beginnings were a lockdown project, the 21 Day Voice Over Challenge isn’t going anywhere fast, Jo has plans to add to it and when we can all gather again properly - present some pop up workshops.

I asked Jo a few further questions about life as a voice over artist….



Right now feels like an exciting time for you – do you feel like you’re on the edge of a whole new career with your voice over work?

I’ve recorded voice overs in recording studios for many years but the home studio and focusing on this part of my career fully is most definitely exciting. I love it so much, it’s hard work developing new relationships with clients and putting in the spade work to ensure I have a long prosperous career. 



It’s so worth every second of hard work to get to create characters, tell stories and be the voice of a huge variety of shows and adverts. My dogs look at me very strangely sometimes when I am trying out new accents or animation voices but I love the freedom to be who I want in the studio. 

 

How on earth do you audition for voice over work?

This is such a varied process to be honest, sometimes the client just listens to your voice reels and you get the job, although this is rare! However TV series usually do go with this approach. 



A lot of the time you’re sent a test script to record and send back. If it’s for Gaming or animation then they send character descriptions, background and photos of the character, which is so helpful. I get in the studio, try and nail the physicality and try a few voices that I think might fit, basically it’s about playing until it feels right. 



Sometimes it’s a live line so the client can hear a live session - either in an external recording studio or via Source Connect in my home studio and the director will ask you to read a few versions of the script, then give you notes on certain lines to change pace, emotion or maybe try another voice. This can be intimidating but I actually love the thrill of live direction. Basically to be a voice over artist you need to be ready for anything! 

 

Any specific Voice Over artists that you really champion and suggest anyone wanting to start out should go check out?

OMG I love a Canadian beauty called Elley-Ray Hennessy she is so talented, bonkers and fabulous. She also does some amazing workshops so check her out for sure! 

 

What’s next on the agenda for you – what are you working on now?

As well as continuing with the 21 Day Voice Over Challenge and supporting anyone that needs it - I’m actually really busy again which is both amazing and a relief to be honest, there are a couple of things I’m not allowed to talk about, but I did a happy dance when I got them! I’m the face of Omaze.co.uk so if you want to win a million-pound house and support Teenage Cancer Trust check it out. 



I’m working on a podcast and hosting lots of virtual conferences and writing a new onscreen confidence course for people in business - who have been thrown into the world of zoom and need help!  My aim is animation, it’s my favourite element of voice overs so watch this space. 

 

As a pro in the industry do you have any advice to creatives and artists about where they should start?

Be you, be confident and never stop learning, really listen when people talk but don’t believe everything everyone tells you. Take opportunity’s, be kind and work hard but most of all try and create an internal positive voice that supports you. If someone tells you that you can’t let that internal voice fuel you - because you can do it!




Join the Voice Over tribe - www.voiceover-tribe.com

See more of Jo and her work - www.joannepickard.co.uk



In conversation with marine artist Kate Smith

June 2, 2025
I was first introduced to Kate's work at Kunsthuis contemporary gallery in North Yorkshire, forming part of the exhibition "our eARTh" which explored responses from artists to the environment and climate change issues. I totally fell in love with her bold colours. Living by the coast has very much influenced Kate's artistic style, being drawn in by the rugged landscapes, extreme weather conditions and the Heritage of a working boat community. I chatted with Kate about her work and how it's progressed in the last couple of years. First up how did she get here? I was always obsessed with drawing and making as a child so I guess it was inevitable that I would follow an artistic route. I trained initially at university as a fine art sculptor and after gaining my degree I went on to study a PGCE in art education. After spending many years teaching art to A-level, I moved to Whitby with my husband and worked for the education department at the North York Moors National Park as an education leader. Having taken time out to have a family I continued to teach with adult Art classes, until in 2016 I decided to pick up a paintbrush for the first time in over 20yrs. Having never previously been a painter and always enjoyed three-dimensional form it took a while to get the hang of canvas and oil paint but at this point I was determined to at least give it a go. Better late than never. I asked Kate about her use of colour as it's one of the things I totally fell for in her work - Kate your paintings are super vibrant and evocative – is there a reason you choose to paint in such vibrant colours? When I first began painting with oils I was using a traditional palette. However I wanted to develop a more contemporary style and my love of colour was probably the first step in my experimentation. The colours that I use in my paintings are only really an exaggeration of the colours that I already see. And I use a lot of photography taken very early in the morning when the light source is at its brightest and the colours are at their most extreme. From then on I began to also develop an impasto style of paint application, using a palette knife and sculpting the paint onto the canvas. I guess that this was my homage to my sculpture training. At Kunsthuis and in your earlier work you featured more marine life (lobsters etc), have you made a conscious decision to move away from this to concentrate more on boats and local scenery – or do you think you’ll revisit the marine life again? Yes, initially I did begin with a lot of marine life in my paintings, concentrating specifically on lobsters, as my families love and participation of all things nautical was a big part of our life. However after a while I did make a conscious decision to concentrate on just one style. So I put all efforts into improving and developing what I felt was my stronger work, which was my boat and seascape paintings. One cohesive style is also far easier to share with galleries. With such a rugged landscape to work on do you work outdoors or work mostly from a home studio? How do you stay motivated and what do you find the most difficult in working from home? Currently my studio is situated in my home and I do find it very difficult to stay motivated at times. Right now it’s harder than ever to not be sidetracked by my two teenage children who have been at home from uni for the last few months. But what I do feel is important is to treat my studio time as if I was going out to any other job. When I’m painting, I'M PAINTING! Plus when I get into my painting zone I find that a whole day goes by in a flash. What about the process of how you design and make your paintings - do you plan what to make or just go with the moment? So, my paintings process begins with a photograph. I’ve been very fortunate to have a friend that takes beautiful, atmospheric photographs on his early morning walks and he allows me to use them as a reference for my pieces. When a particular scene appeals to me I run with it, so I suppose I do just go with the flow. You mention you used to tutor with adult groups – is this something you still do or would consider doing again? Teaching with adult groups is very rewarding and I’d like to think I’ll have the time to return to it one day. But right now I’m happy to concentrate on my painting career. What’s next on the agenda for you – what are your plans? where can we see you? I was recently working on a body of work for an exhibition for Art For Youth North which is an annual exhibition of contemporary Northern artists set in Thirsk. I have work on display in Silver Street Gallery, Whitby and have plans to send pieces to a couple of Galleries outside of the North. Do you have any specific artists that you really champion and would suggest any rising artists? There are a number of artists, both painters and sculptors who’s work inspire me. I love the work of Peter Wileman, his use of colour and his energetic mark making. His paintings really capture a sense of place. But I also admire the work of many of my local contemporaries such as, Ian Burke, Ian Burdall, Sue Nichols, Tori Tipton, Emerson Mayes and Richard Gray. Also sculptors and ceramicists like, KV blacksmith, Kit Hemsley, Hilary Holmes, Anna and the willow, Emmeline Butler and Eric and Chris Moss to name but a few. We have such a wonderful and varied array of talented artists here on our own doorstep. and finally do you have any advice to creatives and artists about to embark on starting their own business? My advice to anyone about to embark on an artistic career is firstly don’t make things complicated, make sure you are enjoying what you’re doing. But also take advice from those that have been where you are. Or as I did, apply to a show like art& where they run a Raw Talent Award Scheme offering invaluable support and guidance into exhibiting your work professionally. Theres lots of help and information out there if you’re prepared to look for it. See more of Kate's work or contact her via her website https://www.katesmithart.co.uk/ or follow her on Instagram at @art_katesmith

Photography in Museums & Historic Houses

By Laura Cotterill • May 2, 2025
To snap or not to snap!

In conversation with digital artist Sarah Westwood...

March 13, 2025
Sarah's work dominates the Yorkshire Cycle Hub - I first became aware of her work during a visit with my children when they brought back Sprocket colouring sheets to the table. Since then we've crossed paths many times, Sarah has traded at a number of Markets I've managed, ended up on the same photography course and at a creative connection network event. We regularly chat on Insta, so it only seemed right that Sarah and Sprocket were to be featured in an interview! Hi Sarah can you tell us a bit about you and and who Sprocket is? I'm Sarah and I love to draw, and I especially love to draw Sprocket the dog. Technically I'm his P.A and my job is to share his wonderful journeys with you all. I've been sharing my little dog's tales since 2015. I draw using an iPad Pro and with my finger, so it’s very free and flowing. I did my first 100-day project in 2015 and he was a product of that creative process. I have a lovely little studio in East Ayton and Sprocket was inspired by my old sidekick who was a Weimaraner, he was always up for walks and lots of cuddles. He had his own chair in my studio, I used to call him my supervisor. All my drawings are in honour of him. Being creative - is it something you’ve always gravitated towards? I've always been creative, spending a lot of time as a child making and drawing. Heading to uni to do a creative degree felt like the right direction to go in. I did Surface Pattern Design at Huddersfield and it was an intense journey but I learnt a lot about myself and how to be creative, developing ideas and definitely developed a thick skin with feedback from our tutors! I’ve always wanted to be in a creative job, looking back I never thought I would be doing this. I was somewhat clueless back in my early 20’s, I worked hard doing an unrelated 9-5 job and did my art on the side travelling to craft fairs and worked my way to eventually cutting down my day job. I exhibited three years in a row at Country Living Magazine show and Kirsty Allsop’s Handmade Fair in London . During lockdown you worked on a 100-day project on Instagram – did that help you stay creative and focused? Drawing Sprocket every day was a huge pleasure, it kept me focused and having an allocated time to draw each day was something I looked forward to. Just starting on a blank page, making lines that then flow into something I hadn't planned was a real treat. I haven't had that sort of time for my work since uni. Lockdown taught me how much I enjoy drawing and I loved giving myself that time every day to be creative. I'm so chuffed that people like the work I did and supported me by buying my work, it's always really heartwarming. I try not be mushy about it but my orders increased threefold over lockdown and everyday I'd just stand in my studio and beam with absolute joy . I spy you’ve been working in ceramic recently, is this a new medium for you to work with and is it something you'll be including in your shop for future (I hope so!) are there any other mediums you’d like to try out? I decided back in lockdown that I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone when we could all do stuff again. I love ceramics, and doing something so hands-on made me go back to basics so I messaged a friend who has a studio and I asked for lessons. Throwing pots is just brilliant, I love being so involved in the process and the need for me to concentrate and to switch off is just what I need. I'm so pleased with how they are looking and they seem to replicate my drawing style. I'm working on some Sprocket figures but hats off to artists that throw pots, it's a real art in its self.... . . and yes I’d love to be able to sell them in my shop so possibly! Where do you get your inspiration from? your images are so creative and brilliant, especially when you introduce new characters with Sprocket? That is a question!! I think I have an overactive brain, I do wonder where the ideas come from myself. I seem to go through stages of people requesting images, I do get complete artist block but then I have things that happen and they just inspire that drawing. I just like to try and tell a tale with each image. Does it take you long to design the images? do you plan what to feature or just go with the moment? I draw with my finger on my iPad pro, I call it freehand digital drawing. I try to set myself a bit of a limit of an hour and a half, some are quicker and some take forever but I actually am not aware of the time whilst I'm drawing in all honesty. I'm not a great planner but if I've got an idea I'll often write it down on a blank page in my adobe drawing app. Then it can be used at a later date.