When Crayon Met Camera: spending an evening with Jo and Finn

We got together with cartoonist Jo Burt and photographer Finn Hopson to take a look at the way they portray the landscape of the South Downs – and what these hills mean to people who ride bikes. What an evening...

The South Downs are a special place. Not just for cyclists and walkers, but for artists thoughout the ages. From giant chalk figures to historic watercolours and classical music, the Downs have always stirred creativity in those who live and work here. For those of us who ride bicycles across the rolling downland of Sussex, there are two artists in particular whose work means something special to us...

Jo Burt is known as the creator of Mint Sauce – a Sussex sheep with a love of mountain biking, sunshine and snacks. Within every Mint Sauce strip, the South Downs lounge in the background. Mint's playground is Jo's canvas.

Finn Hopson's photography uniquely displays the fields, woods, shapes and boundaries of the South Downs. Through Finn's eyes, we discover new rhythms and patterns in these green hills and chalky white trails.

As a South Downs business, designing and building adventure bicycles among these hills, we wanted to find a way of celebrating the national park where we live and work, so we invited Jo and Finn to the MASON Barn, for a chat about the way they create their art, the way they ride their bikes and the way they view each other's work.

On a spring evening, we filled the Barn with Jo's cartoons, Finn's photos, and a few Sussex beers provided by Long Man Brewery. A slideshow scrolled through a selection of Jo and Finn's work, as the artists themselves began a long conversation that took us up and over the hills, into hidden valleys, past characterful clumps of trees and through gaps in crumbling stone walls.

We listened as Jo and Finn spoke of 'escape routes': ways to quickly leave behind the noise and hurly-burly of Brighton and find peace in the hills. We heard them reflect on the effect of weather and changing seasons on our rides and our emotions. 

Landscape as Character

After Jo and Finn had been talking for some time, we encountered perhaps the biggest idea of the evening – that of 'landscape as character': the suggestion that the hills, fields and clouds that surround us are more than just a background for our adventures. They are our companions. Our friends. Occasionally our enemies.

After an hour and half of Jo and Finn's conversation had flown by, we mingled a while longer before heading out into the night. Prints were purchased. Books were signed. Memories were shared.

Finn Hopson and Jo Burt Collaboration

With such an appreciation for each other's work, we were surprised to learn that Finn and Jo had never before worked together on a collaborative artwork.

...until now.

Revealed for the first time at the MASON Barn, Jo and Finn's special new collaborative piece shows Mint Sauce riding his bike in the Sussex sunshine, through a ribbon-thin chalk trail traversing a green meadow.

Prints of this new artwork are available to buy, as a very special image for anyone who sees the beauty and fun of our beloved South Downs as Finn and Jo do.

Giving it back

The South Downs National Park Trust is the charity arm of the South Downs National Park. While celebrating the South Downs with Jo and Finn, it felt right to support the maintenance of this place and the trails we ride. That's why the ticket proceeds from our evening are being donated to the South Downs National Park Trust – to help care for the South Downs Way trail from Winchester to Eastbourne.

Music and Cake

Did you join us at the Barn that evening? Did you notice the background music? It was a playlist of tunes put together to evoke feelings of Sussex, the hills, the skies and the moments we notice in nature – created by the MASON team with lots of input from Jo.

You can revisit the evening's playlist via Spotify. Enjoy.

And what about Julie's ginger cake? An added highlight of the evening. If you'd like to give it a go, here's her recipe:

Ultimate ginger loaf cake

Ingredients:

• 175g unsalted diced butter
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 175g black treacle
• 200ml whole milk
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 250g plain flour
• 1½ tsp bicarb of soda
• ½ tsp mixed spice or a bit of grated nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground ginger (or add more – Julie likes to go for 4 tsp!)

Method:

• Melt butter, sugar & treacle.
• Stir in the milk. Set aside to cool.
• Beat the eggs.
• Sift the flour, bicarb, spices & a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
• Pour in the milk mixture to a smooth batter.
• Give the bowl a sharp tap to get rid of the air bubbles.

Pour into a 1.5kg loaf tin and bake for 45–50 minutes at 180°C (non-fan) or fan 165°C (fan)