Artists' Biographies
Julie Atthews
As a Textile Artist and former Head of Art Julie’s textile practice is influenced by the ephemeral qualities of nature and the colours, textures and surfaces created as forms decay and erode. Julie is fascinated by the impact of nature upon wellbeing and shapes, stitches and moulds fabrics to replicate natures forms, transforming them from stitched pieces to convince the viewer that they are real objects, reawakening memories and our positive experiences of nature.
Rachel Bentley
Contemporary Artist
Inspired by Yorkshire's landscapes and coastline, Rachel paints atmospherically, using texture and flowing layers to translate the deep emotions of the world as she sees it onto canvas and paper. Often using recycled and found materials to capture nature's beauty, she draws on remembered landscapes and liminal places. Recent exhibitions she has been part of include ‘Peak District' at Sheffield's Fronteer Gallery and ‘Let Us See You’ at Sunny Bank Mills.
Website www.rachelbentleyartist.co.uk
Facebook: @RachelBentleyArtist
Instagram @rachel_bentley_art
Lauri Bower
Paper Collage Artist
Lauri is a paper collage & mixed media artist working mindfully to create one-off paper collages, giclee prints, and greeting cards.
Her inspirations are words, poems, and nature, particularly her garden.
Her artwork is colourful and textured, loose abstract art. Using watercolour paint, lino-print, marbling, and ink she begins by creating papers to work with.
Mindfulness is part of her creative practice and is reflected in her subject and colour choices.
She offers workshops and demonstrations locally and can be found at Made in Yorkshire events in York. Her work is on the walls of local Apotheco coffee shop in Collingham.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_space_uk/
Website https://the-creative-space.org.uk/
Folksy https://folksy.com/shops/TheCreativeSpace
Jackey Brown
Jackey started with watercolour painting at an evening class in Leicestershire over 40 years ago. However getting married and moving to Cambridgeshire, she did not paint for nearly 20 years. Then a move to Yorkshire stirred up the desire to paint again. She now mainly uses pastels and mixed media to capture landscapes and animals but enjoys having a go at any different type of paint, given the chance.
Jan Bulley
Jan’s primary interest is in mixed media landscape painting in a loose and fluid manner over textured backgrounds and taking inspiration from nature. Her process has evolved using lots of washes and wet-in-wet techniques into semi-abstract landscapes that strive to capture the ephemeral effects of light, atmosphere and tranquility.
Jan also works in printmaking, in particular with collagraph, which produces a very expressive and textured finish creating a unique print every time.
Jan also works in hand built ceramics, using ancient techniques; pinch pots, coiling and slabs constructing pieces of simplicity. Again, taking inspiration from nature, she uses texture and mark making to create truly original pieces.
Visit at www.janbulleyartworks.co.uk and www.instagram.com/janbulleyartworks
Sandra Dean
Sandra uses texture and colour within her painting developing her own unique style, mostly in mixed media but also uses collage, acrylic, water colour and pastels, subjects include Landscapes and seascapes of Yorkshire and the North East Coast. She has been a member of Walton Group of Artists for twenty years and has exhibited at Richmond Station Gallery, Boston Spa Arts and Craft Fair, Boston Festival and Artists Around Wetherby
Clare Dean
Clare is a mixed media artist, who particularly likes to work with acrylics in a loose textural way, finding inspiration from nature and her garden, and particularly enjoys painting meadows. She also works in pastel and oil occasionally. She has a large range of cards and prints, including animals and birds along with floral and landscape work.
Clare is happy to do workshops or demonstrations for local art groups and runs her own workshops. She has undertaken several commissions. She regularly exhibits at RHS Harlow Carr and other events. Please visitwww.clarescreations.co.uk for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/clarescreationsart
https://www.instagram.com/clares_creations_art/
Natalie Elderton
Natalie is a ceramic artist making both decorative and functional pieces such as large platters, vases and garden decorations. All of her work is hand built using slaps, coils or pinching methods. Often, she will then apply coloured slips and then scrape and carve into the clay to show the colour of the clay beneath. This is a process called sgraffito. Working as a florist for many years she takes much of her inspiration from flowers, plants and the natural landscape.
You can see more of Natalie's ceramics at www.instagram.com/natalieeldertonceramics
Jane Horton CPAGB, BPE3, AFIAP
Janes passions are photography, horses and wildlife and loves nothing more than capturing the beauty and spirit of amazing animals.
She also enjoys photographing the wonderful landscapes of Yorkshire and the Outer Hebrides.
Janes photography has won awards in the UK and around the world.
Email:janehorton1922@gmail.com
Instagram:janehorton92
Dawn Johnson
Alba Wirework
Combining my passion for textile techniques with a love of experimenting with wire, I create unique jewellery. I specialise in wire crochet and use my silversmithing skills to make unusual and intricate pieces. A variety of precious metals form the woven mesh and designs capture semi-precious gemstones in the stitches. All my pieces are original designs and I love working on commissions.
Email: alba.wirejewellery@gmail.com
Website: www.albawirework.etsy.com
Instagram: @albawirework
Etsy shop
Facebook: Alba Wirework
Maggie Molyneux
I am a retired engineering draughtswoman, my passion is painting and drawing. Buildings are my specialist subject. Townscapes, historical buildings, pubs and churches, world iconic buildings from travels afar.
Living most of my life in and around Birmingham, working mainly on city centre building projects, surrounded by buildings and fabulous city canals
Now living in Wetherby, I still find inspiration in many ‘Nooks and Crannies’
I hope you like my work.
Rachel McNaughton
I paint mostly in watercolour although sometimes use pastel and my early choice of subject matter was flowers. Since then I have broadened my horizons and paint landscapes, animals and whatever takes my fancy! I now have a looser style but I still always have to fight against painting in detail.
Work has been published by National Trust, Laura Ashley, Unicef, M and S and WHSmith.
You can see more of my work by visiting www.artbyrachel.co.uk ( where there are galleries of my art to buy as originals and prints or click here to visit my Etsy shop which also includes painting tutorials.
click here to e mai]
Jill Neale
Jill enjoys painting many subjects, primarily meadows, showing the harmony in nature to be found in the countryside around her. Jill hopes that her paintings and use of colour convey a feeling of joy and happiness. Jill also paints the countryside around Collingham as well as abstract mixed media pictures, animals and house portrait
Richard Newman
Since Richard Newman retired, he has worn two hats, those of a writer and an artist. When training as an Architect at UCL, Richard was taught to draw at the Slade next door to the Bartlett. He has turned his attention to developing landscape ideas where sensibility and contemporary themes merge. He works, usually in mixed media of acrylic and water colour spending long, happy hours in his studio in the garden.
Telephone: 01937 845675
70. High Street, Boston Spa LS236EA
Linda Quartermaine
Linda Quartermaine creates unique and captivating artwork that is sure to be a conversation starter. With a special focus on watercolour landscapes, graphite,
watercolour and pastel pet portraits and pastel wildlife art, you can find something for every room of your home. Each painting is crafted with a hyper-realistic style and an eye for detail, ensuring that each finished product is exquisite. Linda is also passionate about the conservation of endangered animals and would love to create
something special for you that celebrates your love of wildlife.
David Ranby
A long time rock climber, I started carving in 2017 following a starter kit gift from my daughter. I am not trying to replicate an existing living form, but interpret. I carve 80% by hand (chisels etc) to allow the stone to change plans. I use Yorkshire stones (Swaledale Fossil, York, Ancaster weatherbed) for the intrigue they bring in colours and fossils.
Ailsa Read
Ailsa Read is a contemporary seascape artist who graduated in Fine Art and Creative Practice from Leeds Arts University. The focus of her work is to capture the excitement of the sea in all its many moods.
Dr A H Read
www.ailsaread.co.uk
Ken Shippen
Ken is a retired Engineer and enjoys landscape painting in both acrylic and oils. He started painting in his early teens, but career, marriage and family took over for some time, and he returned to painting only a few years ago. Last year he began the challenge of plein air painting and took part as a “wildcard” in Landscape Painter of the Year. As a native North Easterner, he is drawn towards the rugged and spectacular coastline of Northumberland but is also inspired by the splendour of our local Yorkshire coast and countryside. His paintings are typically realistic interpretations of the landscape but also aim to capture the mood of the scene.
Elaine Shirtliff
Elaine has always had an interest in art, so on retirement she decided to actively pursue this interest by taking painting lessons.
Eventually Elaine developed her own style of colourful watercolour painting, chiefly inspired by Yorkshire scenes. Elaine also enjoys painting in acrylics and exploring different media, including collage, cyanotype and ecoprinting, using plants from her own garden.
Elaine has exhibited locally and also in Harrogate, York and Leeds.
Originals, prints and cards for sale.
Jenny Sharpe
Having visited a local art exhibition Jenny decided to enroll for watercolour lessons. She now paints landscapes and seascapes both in watercolour and acrylic taking her inspiration form the beautiful county she lives in. Jenny has exhibited in Walton, Boston Spa and Richmond Station.
Katy Small
I work with felt, yarns and fabrics. My work is inspired by the changing skies and landscapes, or even the tiny, busy world of a hedgerow.
My pictures start as a drawing or small painting in my sketchbook. The background of a picture is created using ‘wet felting’, similar to blending paints or pastels. For the finer details, I use machine felting and embroidery with a variety of yarns. I do not aim to re-create an actual scene, but rather evoke a feeling, an impression, a mood. You can find my work on Instagram and website www.feltedyarns.co.uk
Vicky Thaxter
Textile and Mixed Media Artist
Inspired by the beautiful Yorkshire countryside around her home, Vicky creates a variety of artwork. Her watercolour paintings usually feature animals native to Britain, painted in fine detail. Her mixed media work is semi representational, inspired by landscapes, atmosphere and the changing seasons.
As a textile artist Vicky uses a variety of techniques. Hand dyed and painted fabrics form the background, followed by freestyle machine embroidery, applique and hand embellishment, to create soft meadows, delicate flowers and butterflies.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LilyandGingercrafts
Instagram -@lilyandgingercrafts
Jackie Watts
After retiring from teaching, I have done a variety of post-foundation stage art courses at York College of Art that included an H.N.C course, a vocational art course, and printmaking. I am a member of the Redbrick Artists and Walton Group of Artists. I feel my paintings are a reflection of my inner self, interests, life experiences and beliefs. Acrylics, oils, collage, and use of printmaking materials are used to represent my impressions of nature throughout the seasons, my love of gardening, music and walks in different landscapes, such as the Lake District and local historical battlefields.
Toff Artists
Simon Mountford and Gary Lauder
Projects such as My Town ( https://www.toffartists.co.uk/my-town) have intrigued the local community since 2021. Your favourite places in one mesmerising picture.
The collages are an interesting fusion of contemporary and traditional styles, incorporating photography and mixed media. Their work masterfully blends bold, vibrant colours with intricate patterns, creating visually stunning pieces that captivate the viewer's imagination.
Some pieces are more literal and realistic, other styles reflect a unique combination of photographic elements and materials, such as textured fabrics, paper, paint, even found objects, adding depth and dimension to the artwork.
https://www.toffartists.co.uk
Instagram theoldfriendsfactory
Pat Willard
Silk Painter
Pat has been painting and selling her work in Yorkshire for 35 years - this included 22 years at RHS Harlow Carr......A Russian craft whereby the design is painted on to stretched silk resulting in a magic combination of gold, silver and copper edged images, glowing from the beautiful silk dyes used...A metre wide painting of Leeds Heritage buildings will be on display during Wetherby Open Studios..... Join my one day workshops and learn the art yourself!
As a Textile Artist and former Head of Art Julie’s textile practice is influenced by the ephemeral qualities of nature and the colours, textures and surfaces created as forms decay and erode. Julie is fascinated by the impact of nature upon wellbeing and shapes, stitches and moulds fabrics to replicate natures forms, transforming them from stitched pieces to convince the viewer that they are real objects, reawakening memories and our positive experiences of nature.
Rachel Bentley
Contemporary Artist
Inspired by Yorkshire's landscapes and coastline, Rachel paints atmospherically, using texture and flowing layers to translate the deep emotions of the world as she sees it onto canvas and paper. Often using recycled and found materials to capture nature's beauty, she draws on remembered landscapes and liminal places. Recent exhibitions she has been part of include ‘Peak District' at Sheffield's Fronteer Gallery and ‘Let Us See You’ at Sunny Bank Mills.
Website www.rachelbentleyartist.co.uk
Facebook: @RachelBentleyArtist
Instagram @rachel_bentley_art
Lauri Bower
Paper Collage Artist
Lauri is a paper collage & mixed media artist working mindfully to create one-off paper collages, giclee prints, and greeting cards.
Her inspirations are words, poems, and nature, particularly her garden.
Her artwork is colourful and textured, loose abstract art. Using watercolour paint, lino-print, marbling, and ink she begins by creating papers to work with.
Mindfulness is part of her creative practice and is reflected in her subject and colour choices.
She offers workshops and demonstrations locally and can be found at Made in Yorkshire events in York. Her work is on the walls of local Apotheco coffee shop in Collingham.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_space_uk/
Website https://the-creative-space.org.uk/
Folksy https://folksy.com/shops/TheCreativeSpace
Jackey Brown
Jackey started with watercolour painting at an evening class in Leicestershire over 40 years ago. However getting married and moving to Cambridgeshire, she did not paint for nearly 20 years. Then a move to Yorkshire stirred up the desire to paint again. She now mainly uses pastels and mixed media to capture landscapes and animals but enjoys having a go at any different type of paint, given the chance.
Jan Bulley
Jan’s primary interest is in mixed media landscape painting in a loose and fluid manner over textured backgrounds and taking inspiration from nature. Her process has evolved using lots of washes and wet-in-wet techniques into semi-abstract landscapes that strive to capture the ephemeral effects of light, atmosphere and tranquility.
Jan also works in printmaking, in particular with collagraph, which produces a very expressive and textured finish creating a unique print every time.
Jan also works in hand built ceramics, using ancient techniques; pinch pots, coiling and slabs constructing pieces of simplicity. Again, taking inspiration from nature, she uses texture and mark making to create truly original pieces.
Visit at www.janbulleyartworks.co.uk and www.instagram.com/janbulleyartworks
Sandra Dean
Sandra uses texture and colour within her painting developing her own unique style, mostly in mixed media but also uses collage, acrylic, water colour and pastels, subjects include Landscapes and seascapes of Yorkshire and the North East Coast. She has been a member of Walton Group of Artists for twenty years and has exhibited at Richmond Station Gallery, Boston Spa Arts and Craft Fair, Boston Festival and Artists Around Wetherby
Clare Dean
Clare is a mixed media artist, who particularly likes to work with acrylics in a loose textural way, finding inspiration from nature and her garden, and particularly enjoys painting meadows. She also works in pastel and oil occasionally. She has a large range of cards and prints, including animals and birds along with floral and landscape work.
Clare is happy to do workshops or demonstrations for local art groups and runs her own workshops. She has undertaken several commissions. She regularly exhibits at RHS Harlow Carr and other events. Please visitwww.clarescreations.co.uk for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/clarescreationsart
https://www.instagram.com/clares_creations_art/
Natalie Elderton
Natalie is a ceramic artist making both decorative and functional pieces such as large platters, vases and garden decorations. All of her work is hand built using slaps, coils or pinching methods. Often, she will then apply coloured slips and then scrape and carve into the clay to show the colour of the clay beneath. This is a process called sgraffito. Working as a florist for many years she takes much of her inspiration from flowers, plants and the natural landscape.
You can see more of Natalie's ceramics at www.instagram.com/natalieeldertonceramics
Jane Horton CPAGB, BPE3, AFIAP
Janes passions are photography, horses and wildlife and loves nothing more than capturing the beauty and spirit of amazing animals.
She also enjoys photographing the wonderful landscapes of Yorkshire and the Outer Hebrides.
Janes photography has won awards in the UK and around the world.
Email:janehorton1922@gmail.com
Instagram:janehorton92
Dawn Johnson
Alba Wirework
Combining my passion for textile techniques with a love of experimenting with wire, I create unique jewellery. I specialise in wire crochet and use my silversmithing skills to make unusual and intricate pieces. A variety of precious metals form the woven mesh and designs capture semi-precious gemstones in the stitches. All my pieces are original designs and I love working on commissions.
Email: alba.wirejewellery@gmail.com
Website: www.albawirework.etsy.com
Instagram: @albawirework
Etsy shop
Facebook: Alba Wirework
Maggie Molyneux
I am a retired engineering draughtswoman, my passion is painting and drawing. Buildings are my specialist subject. Townscapes, historical buildings, pubs and churches, world iconic buildings from travels afar.
Living most of my life in and around Birmingham, working mainly on city centre building projects, surrounded by buildings and fabulous city canals
Now living in Wetherby, I still find inspiration in many ‘Nooks and Crannies’
I hope you like my work.
Rachel McNaughton
I paint mostly in watercolour although sometimes use pastel and my early choice of subject matter was flowers. Since then I have broadened my horizons and paint landscapes, animals and whatever takes my fancy! I now have a looser style but I still always have to fight against painting in detail.
Work has been published by National Trust, Laura Ashley, Unicef, M and S and WHSmith.
You can see more of my work by visiting www.artbyrachel.co.uk ( where there are galleries of my art to buy as originals and prints or click here to visit my Etsy shop which also includes painting tutorials.
click here to e mai]
Jill Neale
Jill enjoys painting many subjects, primarily meadows, showing the harmony in nature to be found in the countryside around her. Jill hopes that her paintings and use of colour convey a feeling of joy and happiness. Jill also paints the countryside around Collingham as well as abstract mixed media pictures, animals and house portrait
Richard Newman
Since Richard Newman retired, he has worn two hats, those of a writer and an artist. When training as an Architect at UCL, Richard was taught to draw at the Slade next door to the Bartlett. He has turned his attention to developing landscape ideas where sensibility and contemporary themes merge. He works, usually in mixed media of acrylic and water colour spending long, happy hours in his studio in the garden.
Telephone: 01937 845675
70. High Street, Boston Spa LS236EA
Linda Quartermaine
Linda Quartermaine creates unique and captivating artwork that is sure to be a conversation starter. With a special focus on watercolour landscapes, graphite,
watercolour and pastel pet portraits and pastel wildlife art, you can find something for every room of your home. Each painting is crafted with a hyper-realistic style and an eye for detail, ensuring that each finished product is exquisite. Linda is also passionate about the conservation of endangered animals and would love to create
something special for you that celebrates your love of wildlife.
David Ranby
A long time rock climber, I started carving in 2017 following a starter kit gift from my daughter. I am not trying to replicate an existing living form, but interpret. I carve 80% by hand (chisels etc) to allow the stone to change plans. I use Yorkshire stones (Swaledale Fossil, York, Ancaster weatherbed) for the intrigue they bring in colours and fossils.
Ailsa Read
Ailsa Read is a contemporary seascape artist who graduated in Fine Art and Creative Practice from Leeds Arts University. The focus of her work is to capture the excitement of the sea in all its many moods.
Dr A H Read
www.ailsaread.co.uk
Ken Shippen
Ken is a retired Engineer and enjoys landscape painting in both acrylic and oils. He started painting in his early teens, but career, marriage and family took over for some time, and he returned to painting only a few years ago. Last year he began the challenge of plein air painting and took part as a “wildcard” in Landscape Painter of the Year. As a native North Easterner, he is drawn towards the rugged and spectacular coastline of Northumberland but is also inspired by the splendour of our local Yorkshire coast and countryside. His paintings are typically realistic interpretations of the landscape but also aim to capture the mood of the scene.
Elaine Shirtliff
Elaine has always had an interest in art, so on retirement she decided to actively pursue this interest by taking painting lessons.
Eventually Elaine developed her own style of colourful watercolour painting, chiefly inspired by Yorkshire scenes. Elaine also enjoys painting in acrylics and exploring different media, including collage, cyanotype and ecoprinting, using plants from her own garden.
Elaine has exhibited locally and also in Harrogate, York and Leeds.
Originals, prints and cards for sale.
Jenny Sharpe
Having visited a local art exhibition Jenny decided to enroll for watercolour lessons. She now paints landscapes and seascapes both in watercolour and acrylic taking her inspiration form the beautiful county she lives in. Jenny has exhibited in Walton, Boston Spa and Richmond Station.
Katy Small
I work with felt, yarns and fabrics. My work is inspired by the changing skies and landscapes, or even the tiny, busy world of a hedgerow.
My pictures start as a drawing or small painting in my sketchbook. The background of a picture is created using ‘wet felting’, similar to blending paints or pastels. For the finer details, I use machine felting and embroidery with a variety of yarns. I do not aim to re-create an actual scene, but rather evoke a feeling, an impression, a mood. You can find my work on Instagram and website www.feltedyarns.co.uk
Vicky Thaxter
Textile and Mixed Media Artist
Inspired by the beautiful Yorkshire countryside around her home, Vicky creates a variety of artwork. Her watercolour paintings usually feature animals native to Britain, painted in fine detail. Her mixed media work is semi representational, inspired by landscapes, atmosphere and the changing seasons.
As a textile artist Vicky uses a variety of techniques. Hand dyed and painted fabrics form the background, followed by freestyle machine embroidery, applique and hand embellishment, to create soft meadows, delicate flowers and butterflies.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LilyandGingercrafts
Instagram -@lilyandgingercrafts
Jackie Watts
After retiring from teaching, I have done a variety of post-foundation stage art courses at York College of Art that included an H.N.C course, a vocational art course, and printmaking. I am a member of the Redbrick Artists and Walton Group of Artists. I feel my paintings are a reflection of my inner self, interests, life experiences and beliefs. Acrylics, oils, collage, and use of printmaking materials are used to represent my impressions of nature throughout the seasons, my love of gardening, music and walks in different landscapes, such as the Lake District and local historical battlefields.
Toff Artists
Simon Mountford and Gary Lauder
Projects such as My Town ( https://www.toffartists.co.uk/my-town) have intrigued the local community since 2021. Your favourite places in one mesmerising picture.
The collages are an interesting fusion of contemporary and traditional styles, incorporating photography and mixed media. Their work masterfully blends bold, vibrant colours with intricate patterns, creating visually stunning pieces that captivate the viewer's imagination.
Some pieces are more literal and realistic, other styles reflect a unique combination of photographic elements and materials, such as textured fabrics, paper, paint, even found objects, adding depth and dimension to the artwork.
https://www.toffartists.co.uk
Instagram theoldfriendsfactory
Pat Willard
Silk Painter
Pat has been painting and selling her work in Yorkshire for 35 years - this included 22 years at RHS Harlow Carr......A Russian craft whereby the design is painted on to stretched silk resulting in a magic combination of gold, silver and copper edged images, glowing from the beautiful silk dyes used...A metre wide painting of Leeds Heritage buildings will be on display during Wetherby Open Studios..... Join my one day workshops and learn the art yourself!
