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Our Artists
David Hawkins
You’ll likely find me in the openair – whatever the weather – where sounds, smells and the elements sharpen what the eye sees. My work springs from nature and especially the changing light and moods of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s the essence of things which is my quest…the ‘treeness’ of a tree, as Cezanne used to say. I work in acrylics, watercolour, collage and photography – often mixing the media. The English nature painters are my inspiration – Hitchens, Hodgkins, Rae, Frost and Heron, as
well as the masters of the Mediterranean – Matisse, Cezanne, Miro, Klee, and
Picasso.
I enjoy playing with the juxtaposition of images which seem to have no apparent relation, but to me are joined at the hip – a bit like the Surrealists – Magritte, Dali and
co. Increasingly, I’m tackling socio-political themes, as I believe the arts often have a more effective influence in society than rhetoric or campaigning. Recent expressions of this have been exhibitions and installations on themes such as Climate Emergency and homelessness.
well as the masters of the Mediterranean – Matisse, Cezanne, Miro, Klee, and
Picasso.
I enjoy playing with the juxtaposition of images which seem to have no apparent relation, but to me are joined at the hip – a bit like the Surrealists – Magritte, Dali and
co. Increasingly, I’m tackling socio-political themes, as I believe the arts often have a more effective influence in society than rhetoric or campaigning. Recent expressions of this have been exhibitions and installations on themes such as Climate Emergency and homelessness.
Leticia Suarez
An individual made of many vanishing points, textures and colours. Noticeable for her way of walking in which harmony and constant tempo perhaps are not the most appropriate descriptive words, more of an improvisational rhythm is her signature note. Step after misstep, securely she moves to the daily unknown.
Movement, the key element to her art and soul. Nothing is static, even the most apparent straight line is a curve in the infinite universe. There is sound and dance in her art as her latin background influences her mind on each stroke. As the eye continuously travels across the flat canvas that hosts her paintings, the constant transformation of the piece reveals new possibilities and ideas about the world to the viewer. Obsessed over the incomprehensible energy that allows life to happen, not only from a materialistic perspective but within our weird concept of soul and consciousness.
On a more serious note, she was born in Colombia in the '80s (yes, terrifying times to be born there), moved to the USA in 2004 to be an exchange student for a year, decided to stay to pursue her BFA degree with a concentration in industrial design, worked as an industrial designer for 9 years, moved to the UK in 2019 to pursue a MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design, to ultimately move to a little town in the north of England under cloudy and rainy skies, and realised that all she needed to do was to stay still for more than a minute and be an artist. Art saved her mind, and a rhythmic mind allowed her body to heal itself.
Movement, the key element to her art and soul. Nothing is static, even the most apparent straight line is a curve in the infinite universe. There is sound and dance in her art as her latin background influences her mind on each stroke. As the eye continuously travels across the flat canvas that hosts her paintings, the constant transformation of the piece reveals new possibilities and ideas about the world to the viewer. Obsessed over the incomprehensible energy that allows life to happen, not only from a materialistic perspective but within our weird concept of soul and consciousness.
On a more serious note, she was born in Colombia in the '80s (yes, terrifying times to be born there), moved to the USA in 2004 to be an exchange student for a year, decided to stay to pursue her BFA degree with a concentration in industrial design, worked as an industrial designer for 9 years, moved to the UK in 2019 to pursue a MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design, to ultimately move to a little town in the north of England under cloudy and rainy skies, and realised that all she needed to do was to stay still for more than a minute and be an artist. Art saved her mind, and a rhythmic mind allowed her body to heal itself.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Josh Atkinson Art Glass
Josh is a glass artist whose work explores the interplay of light, pattern, and emotion through the reimagining of traditional techniques.
Beginning with leaded and Tiffany-style stained glass, his practice evolved after traveling through Europe, where time spent in Italy led to a deep interest in murrine—a centuries-old Italian method of glasswork.
Reinterpreting this technique through contemporary kiln processes, Josh stacks layers of coloured glass and draws them in molten form to create patterned rods through a vitrigraph kiln. These rods are sliced, arranged, and kiln-fired multiple times to form intricate, expressive compositions. The process blends historic craftsmanship with contemporary experimentation, resulting in works that are both technically refined and visually immersive.
Based in North Yorkshire, Josh continues to push the boundaries of kilnformed glass, creating work that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and see beauty in the details.
Beginning with leaded and Tiffany-style stained glass, his practice evolved after traveling through Europe, where time spent in Italy led to a deep interest in murrine—a centuries-old Italian method of glasswork.
Reinterpreting this technique through contemporary kiln processes, Josh stacks layers of coloured glass and draws them in molten form to create patterned rods through a vitrigraph kiln. These rods are sliced, arranged, and kiln-fired multiple times to form intricate, expressive compositions. The process blends historic craftsmanship with contemporary experimentation, resulting in works that are both technically refined and visually immersive.
Based in North Yorkshire, Josh continues to push the boundaries of kilnformed glass, creating work that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and see beauty in the details.
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.
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 🔆
John Sherwood
John Sherwood is an open-ended creative with a free-form approach. His ‘Amalgams’ present an attitude towards the picture space. They comprise pictures, text and other visual elements applied to the support via an improvised process. John is always exploring different materials, tools and techniques, and likes to try different surfaces to work on.
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.
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