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Our Artists
Ann Rutherford
Ann Rutherford investigates the human relationship with the natural environment. With a focus on place, she transforms journeys, explorations and physical activities into images, artworks, soundscapes and workshops.
Using drawing, sound, and printmaking in her practice, she develops ideas using imaginative reconstruction. Drawings can be large scale and immersive. Rutherford has undertaken recent commissions for Yorkshire Peat Partnership.
In 2021 she received an Arts Council DYCP grant to explore sound in her practice. She has developed a series of Art in the Cave workshops and industrial archaeology workshops, that she delivers to the public.
Using drawing, sound, and printmaking in her practice, she develops ideas using imaginative reconstruction. Drawings can be large scale and immersive. Rutherford has undertaken recent commissions for Yorkshire Peat Partnership.
In 2021 she received an Arts Council DYCP grant to explore sound in her practice. She has developed a series of Art in the Cave workshops and industrial archaeology workshops, that she delivers to the public.
Bev Parker - Cum-bye Arts
I am the membership representative of Craven Arts and a member of North Yorkshire Open Studios.
I am a visual artist and farmer’s wife based in the southern Yorkshire Dales.
I focus on the diversity of nature within landscape and produce vibrant studies of natural and wild places along with British sheep breeds with the aim of broadening public understanding of their intrinsic qualities and of northern upland farming practices.
I explore various mediums, textures, inclusions and collage in watercolour where granulation, texture and serendipity combine with intriguing results. I enjoy the translucency and light effortless approach of 'wet in wet' styles, losing edges and blending pale 'barely visible' washes against richer accented colours.
My sheep portraits express the true characteristics of each breed, with added splashes of colour, to celebrate the part they play in the evolution of the landscape.
My style has developed both through my Fine Art degree programme and a range of arts and crafts seminars and workshops over the past 15 years.
To stimulate creativity and supply the many exhibitions I attend along with my other retail outlets I became a studio holder at Craven Arts House in 2023.
I am a visual artist and farmer’s wife based in the southern Yorkshire Dales.
I focus on the diversity of nature within landscape and produce vibrant studies of natural and wild places along with British sheep breeds with the aim of broadening public understanding of their intrinsic qualities and of northern upland farming practices.
I explore various mediums, textures, inclusions and collage in watercolour where granulation, texture and serendipity combine with intriguing results. I enjoy the translucency and light effortless approach of 'wet in wet' styles, losing edges and blending pale 'barely visible' washes against richer accented colours.
My sheep portraits express the true characteristics of each breed, with added splashes of colour, to celebrate the part they play in the evolution of the landscape.
My style has developed both through my Fine Art degree programme and a range of arts and crafts seminars and workshops over the past 15 years.
To stimulate creativity and supply the many exhibitions I attend along with my other retail outlets I became a studio holder at Craven Arts House in 2023.
Bridget AM March
Everlasting love, Eternity, Belonging and the Joy of Life are the recurring themes that inspire Bridget’s colourful, abstract paintings. Of course, the Yorkshire landscape and wildlife offer unlimited inspiration and those eternal elements often manifest in her paintings and drawings.
Bridget paints in acrylic and in watercolour, choosing the medium that best expresses the subject of the moment. She compares these two mediums to the art of writing in this way “Acrylic painting can be more like writing an essay or a novel because it allows me to deviate from my first intention when alternative outcomes reveal themselves. Acrylic painting also allows me to edit, to build texture, to rearrange and extend.
Watercolour painting, however, is much more immediate; rather like my signature.
Once I have signed, there are not very many ways to adjust or erase. Just like signing a contract, it feels rather intrepid!”
Bridget’s work is purchased and commissioned by collectors in the UK, Europe, SE Asia, Australia and the USA.
Bridget paints in acrylic and in watercolour, choosing the medium that best expresses the subject of the moment. She compares these two mediums to the art of writing in this way “Acrylic painting can be more like writing an essay or a novel because it allows me to deviate from my first intention when alternative outcomes reveal themselves. Acrylic painting also allows me to edit, to build texture, to rearrange and extend.
Watercolour painting, however, is much more immediate; rather like my signature.
Once I have signed, there are not very many ways to adjust or erase. Just like signing a contract, it feels rather intrepid!”
Bridget’s work is purchased and commissioned by collectors in the UK, Europe, SE Asia, Australia and the USA.
Brian Burton
Contemporary landscape painter mainly from the North Yorkshire environment.
Atmospheric and multi layered the images reward close contemplation.
Atmospheric and multi layered the images reward close contemplation.
Denisa Francis
Denisa Francis is a Slovak linguist and visual artist. Her work includes figurative drawings and paintings exploring natural forms and human figure as well as large scale murals, mosaics and textile projects.
Carolyn Hird Rogers
Carolyn is influenced by the colours and textures of the Northern landscape inspiring her latest collection of framed collages.
The hills of the Dales and the stunning coastline all feature in the current pieces, using hand textured papers created with waste foils, pigment and gesso, these landscapes are slowly pieced together from the torn papers.
Pen and ink illustrations of the wildlife of the North, primarily the Yorkshire Dales and Coast have developed into a series of cards, notecards, notebooks and framed prints using mono print, mixed media and flat graphics techniques.
Carolyn regularly attends local artisan markets selling her cards, the larger pieces can be seen during North Yorkshire Open Studios, Art in the Pen and The Northern Art Show and at Craven Arts House whilst participating in members exhibitions.
The hills of the Dales and the stunning coastline all feature in the current pieces, using hand textured papers created with waste foils, pigment and gesso, these landscapes are slowly pieced together from the torn papers.
Pen and ink illustrations of the wildlife of the North, primarily the Yorkshire Dales and Coast have developed into a series of cards, notecards, notebooks and framed prints using mono print, mixed media and flat graphics techniques.
Carolyn regularly attends local artisan markets selling her cards, the larger pieces can be seen during North Yorkshire Open Studios, Art in the Pen and The Northern Art Show and at Craven Arts House whilst participating in members exhibitions.
Amanda Beck
I am an Artist and Tutor living in the beautiful Yorkshire on the outskirts of Skipton.
I love to sketch from life, capturing the moment and energy of people and places. I feel very lucky to live in this beautiful county and my business aspires to record what I love about living here through the medium of watercolours.
I paint landscapes as well as urban scenes on location. I enjoy inspiring others to be creative and I have over 25 years of teaching experience. I also work within the museum and heritage sector as a Freelance Practitioner.
As a member of Craven Arts I run regular courses in watercolour and have recently launched Skipton Sketchers!
I love to sketch from life, capturing the moment and energy of people and places. I feel very lucky to live in this beautiful county and my business aspires to record what I love about living here through the medium of watercolours.
I paint landscapes as well as urban scenes on location. I enjoy inspiring others to be creative and I have over 25 years of teaching experience. I also work within the museum and heritage sector as a Freelance Practitioner.
As a member of Craven Arts I run regular courses in watercolour and have recently launched Skipton Sketchers!
Clare Daněk
Clare Daněk is an artist and researcher based near Skipton.
Her work is predominantly textile-based; she uses applique and hand embroidery, often drawing on graphic motifs to document, explore, and interrogate the world around her.
Her work is predominantly textile-based; she uses applique and hand embroidery, often drawing on graphic motifs to document, explore, and interrogate the world around her.
Chris Filtness
Chris moved from East Anglia to the Dales at the beginning of the Covid lockdown and eventually settled in Long Preston in 2021.
He has now built himself a small studio from which he is starting to sustain a working practice exploring the atmosphere and beauty of the Dales and the Ribble Valley.
While he insists his first love is painting the landscape, he admits to being a bit of a butterfly when it comes to inspiration and has been pursuing a wide variety of subjects using a broad spectrum of media, oil, acrylic, watercolour, ink, pastel and charcoal.
Chris believes that any subject is worthy of scrutiny, the landscape and nature, still life or the human form can all be equally inspiring as well as the extensive variety of artists that he admires.
Most of his newer work has been made with acrylic paint on paper or card but he has been busy preparing supports for some new oil paintings by using rabbit skin glue to fix old worn out bed linen onto board in the manner of the 18th & 19th century Norwich School artists.
He has now built himself a small studio from which he is starting to sustain a working practice exploring the atmosphere and beauty of the Dales and the Ribble Valley.
While he insists his first love is painting the landscape, he admits to being a bit of a butterfly when it comes to inspiration and has been pursuing a wide variety of subjects using a broad spectrum of media, oil, acrylic, watercolour, ink, pastel and charcoal.
Chris believes that any subject is worthy of scrutiny, the landscape and nature, still life or the human form can all be equally inspiring as well as the extensive variety of artists that he admires.
Most of his newer work has been made with acrylic paint on paper or card but he has been busy preparing supports for some new oil paintings by using rabbit skin glue to fix old worn out bed linen onto board in the manner of the 18th & 19th century Norwich School artists.
Keith Dickinson
I am a printmaker inspired by landscape and architecture through the medium of linoprint, drypoint and etching.
Julie Bruce
My paintings are all about colour and creates the emotion in my work.
I paint places I know well using unexpected colours to surprise myself and the viewer. I like to retain some sense of place but ignore the rules of perspective and realistic colours.
Oils are my favourite medium to work with as it gives me the flexibility I need; its slow drying enables me to blend, smudge and scratch into the paint.
I paint places I know well using unexpected colours to surprise myself and the viewer. I like to retain some sense of place but ignore the rules of perspective and realistic colours.
Oils are my favourite medium to work with as it gives me the flexibility I need; its slow drying enables me to blend, smudge and scratch into the paint.
Lesley Woodhouse
I work with colour pencils, with or without fine liner ink pens, scraperboard and occasionally, graphite pencil to create detailed portraits of fauna, flora and landscape to depict what I see and am inspired by the world around me.
Mary Waterfall
Mary creates paintings that chase light, shadow and reflections.
Celebrating the spiritual connection she feels with nature.
Using pure, high pigmented pastel, her process includes both dry and wet techniques.
Celebrating the spiritual connection she feels with nature.
Using pure, high pigmented pastel, her process includes both dry and wet techniques.
Dianne Cross
I make hand built ceramics – vases, wall pieces, boxes and vessel forms.
Recent work has a light palette, an architectural feeling, matt textured surfaces and paired with bright lilac or yellow inner glazes.
Abstract, still life wall pieces reflect my recent return to painting and drawing after many years.
My established work evokes a feeling of the sea shore and coastline so these are imagined seascapes/landscapes rather than illustrating a specific view. These have washes of cobalt and copper over a matt white glaze sometimes adding a ‘pop’ of yellow.
I work in my garden studio overlooking the Aire Valley.
Recent work has a light palette, an architectural feeling, matt textured surfaces and paired with bright lilac or yellow inner glazes.
Abstract, still life wall pieces reflect my recent return to painting and drawing after many years.
My established work evokes a feeling of the sea shore and coastline so these are imagined seascapes/landscapes rather than illustrating a specific view. These have washes of cobalt and copper over a matt white glaze sometimes adding a ‘pop’ of yellow.
I work in my garden studio overlooking the Aire Valley.
Luke Thompson
Luke Thompson (b. 1993) is a representational oil painter based in North Yorkshire.
After pursuing a music career up until the age of 24, Luke changed path and rediscovered his love for drawing and painting. Being predominantly self taught, he initially studied the academic and traditional methods, enabling him to gain the techniques needed to be able to communicate and translate his vision.
Following his studies, Luke set up his studio and is now working professionally taking regular commissions, tutoring, and participating in exhibitions. He has been selected for exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery and The Great Yorkshire Show, and tutors regularly at various institutions including Harewood House and Craven Arts.
After pursuing a music career up until the age of 24, Luke changed path and rediscovered his love for drawing and painting. Being predominantly self taught, he initially studied the academic and traditional methods, enabling him to gain the techniques needed to be able to communicate and translate his vision.
Following his studies, Luke set up his studio and is now working professionally taking regular commissions, tutoring, and participating in exhibitions. He has been selected for exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery and The Great Yorkshire Show, and tutors regularly at various institutions including Harewood House and Craven Arts.
David Crompton
Ellen Milner
I am a relief printmaker based in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
I've always been inspired by nature and have been lucky enough to work in ecology and conservation for the whole my career. I am an experienced botanist and love the colours, patterns and textures of nature.
My fascination with the printmaking process started at school and over the years my creative practice and love of nature have combined. I use natural objects such as leaves to print into silver clay, or carve my own nature inspired prints in lino. Much of my work focuses on the minute detail of plants, which are often overlooked. Grasses and meadow plants are a particular inspiration.
As well as having the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park on my doorstep, I also spend a lot of time on the beautiful Llyn Peninsula of North Wales. Both places provide a wealth of inspiration for my work.
I've always been inspired by nature and have been lucky enough to work in ecology and conservation for the whole my career. I am an experienced botanist and love the colours, patterns and textures of nature.
My fascination with the printmaking process started at school and over the years my creative practice and love of nature have combined. I use natural objects such as leaves to print into silver clay, or carve my own nature inspired prints in lino. Much of my work focuses on the minute detail of plants, which are often overlooked. Grasses and meadow plants are a particular inspiration.
As well as having the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park on my doorstep, I also spend a lot of time on the beautiful Llyn Peninsula of North Wales. Both places provide a wealth of inspiration for my work.
Matthew Eyles Landscape Artist
I am fascinated by the changing nature of the landscape and how it is affected by the seasons, the light and the weather conditions.
My particular love is the landscape of the Yorkshire Dales where I was born and live. I am intrigued by the signs of human intervention and try to capture the changing moods of the landscape reflected in the forms of trees, dry stone walls, barns and even road signs, markings and telegraph lines, I am currently experimenting with painting in Acrylic Ink and love the intense colours possible with this medium.
My particular love is the landscape of the Yorkshire Dales where I was born and live. I am intrigued by the signs of human intervention and try to capture the changing moods of the landscape reflected in the forms of trees, dry stone walls, barns and even road signs, markings and telegraph lines, I am currently experimenting with painting in Acrylic Ink and love the intense colours possible with this medium.
Susan Jane May
Intuitive Artist inspired by a love of Aboriginal and Indigenous Art 🔆
Keasden Craft Studio
Each piece of jewellery I make is unique - and is the result of constantly discovering new decorative techniques, enhancements, and materials.
A favourite technique is to make a mould from a flower, leaf or seed and use this to create a replica in fine silver or bronze. Patina can then be added to highlight textures.
I also use polymer clay and semi-precious stones to make one-off pieces that are both pretty and affordable.
A favourite technique is to make a mould from a flower, leaf or seed and use this to create a replica in fine silver or bronze. Patina can then be added to highlight textures.
I also use polymer clay and semi-precious stones to make one-off pieces that are both pretty and affordable.
Jonathan Little
My inspiration comes from my observations in the ever-changing landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, capturing the fleeting magic moments that the seasons and weather patterns have on the landscape, especially the changing light and cloud formations. This is different every day and even from moment to moment and I strive constantly to capture on canvas those brief but spectacular moments in time.
Pru Hird
Polymer clay is an incredibly versatile medium and I enjoy the challenge to create unique, fun, easy to wear jewellery from this amazing material.
Jane Carlisle Bellerby
The foundation of silk and mixed media artist Jane Carlisle Bellerby’s work is concerned with the concepts of 'Biophilia' and ‘green exercise’, namely the positive benefits that being out in the land and within nature can give us, both physically and psychologically.
She collages with hand painted/eco dyed silk, mixed media and found objects, both natural and man made.
Jane's current collage compositions depict journeys and hopeful horizons using weathered rubbish found whilst out walking, alongside sun-printed silk, feathers, gold leaf/gilding and stitch.
She collages with hand painted/eco dyed silk, mixed media and found objects, both natural and man made.
Jane's current collage compositions depict journeys and hopeful horizons using weathered rubbish found whilst out walking, alongside sun-printed silk, feathers, gold leaf/gilding and stitch.
Fran Elliott
Based in Silsden, Fran is a fine artist working in watercolours, inks and acrylics.
After completing an Art History Degree, Fran graduated in Paper Conservation at Camberwell School of Art and began her career as the Egyptian Papyrus Conservation Officer at the British Museum.
She completed an art foundation at Leeds College of Art and now sells her work via the Ilkley Art Trail, Art in the Pen, and by exhibiting with local galleries around Yorkshire.
Fran has become known for her painterly works of florals, figurative works and landscapes.
Working from home and her studio at Keighley Creative, she sells giclee prints and also designs repeat surface patterns for the fashion industry.
After completing an Art History Degree, Fran graduated in Paper Conservation at Camberwell School of Art and began her career as the Egyptian Papyrus Conservation Officer at the British Museum.
She completed an art foundation at Leeds College of Art and now sells her work via the Ilkley Art Trail, Art in the Pen, and by exhibiting with local galleries around Yorkshire.
Fran has become known for her painterly works of florals, figurative works and landscapes.
Working from home and her studio at Keighley Creative, she sells giclee prints and also designs repeat surface patterns for the fashion industry.
Sue Waind
I am an amateur artist with a love of wildlife, wildflowers and strong colours. My inspiration comes from nature and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside around us.
I work mainly in acrylics, I use modelling paste to bring texture to my painting and I love my paintings to be touched to feel the texture of the flowers.
I get immense pleasure driving down country lanes where the hedgerows are overgrown with an abundance of brightly coloured and vibrant flowers and foliage. As well as making me happy they act as a home for our precious wildlife.
I have also developed a passion for pastels and love to create pet and wildlife portraits.
I work mainly in acrylics, I use modelling paste to bring texture to my painting and I love my paintings to be touched to feel the texture of the flowers.
I get immense pleasure driving down country lanes where the hedgerows are overgrown with an abundance of brightly coloured and vibrant flowers and foliage. As well as making me happy they act as a home for our precious wildlife.
I have also developed a passion for pastels and love to create pet and wildlife portraits.
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