Celebration of beauty in county by three artists who have moved here

THE BEAUTY of Yorkshire is well documented and varied, and now a new exhibition at the Mill Bridge Gallery, in Skipton, is celebrating the county in all its glory.

Three artists who have chosen to make the region their home are taking part, with exhibits in widely differing mediums.

Felt artist Sarah Roche moved to the Yorkshire Dales and was keen to capture via painting, but felt she was unable to adequately capture the essence of the wild landscape on canvas.

When a good friend introduced her to wool as an alternative medium it was like a lightbulb moment and melded perfectly with her desire to create something beautiful from something natural.

With no formal art qualifications, she works intuitively, using a variety of wool products including merino wool tops, blue-faced Leicester curls and wool nepps.

The second artist, Christine Yardley, uses photography and specialises in historical photographic processes.

The holistic therapist, who moved to Skipton a year ago, is inspired by nature and the mystical and magical elements and energies of nature and life, imagination and transformation.

Her lifestyle, feelings, skills and passions are conveyed by creating mixed media works of art combining free hand painting with the photographic process of cyanotypes that produces blue prints. All works are then sealed to preserve colours and forms.

The third artist, Moroccanborn Marisa Marquez, made Skipton her home eight years ago, after living in Spain and Majorca, and sailing the world for many years.

Her mixed media paintings are inspired by her love of Yorkshire and the beauty of the light and nature in local spaces, resulting in vibrant multi-layered canvasses with the rich colours of her homeland.

Ms Marquez has exhibited widely in Spain, Majorca and London. Sarah,

The exhibition is at the gallery at 3 Mill Bridge, said to be the oldest dwelling in Skipton, until July 26. The gallery is open from 11am until 4pm Thursdays to Saturdays. Other times by appointment.

When a friend introduced her to wool, it was a lightbulb moment. Sarah Roche uses a variety of wool products to capture the wild Dales landscape.