The paths I once trod continue to inform my passion for the nuances and colour in our northern landscapes, providing a platform for the texture and layering I employ for my vibrant upland painterly adventures and one or two agrarian portraiture.

As I toddle along my website www.cumbyearts.com hosted by Webarto www.webarto.com … continues to be my focus as a means to announce and manage the events and exhibitions I’m taking part in, and some I’m helping Craven Arts to manage as well. I also try to stay present on Socials FB and Instagram. 

CARING ABOUT CRAVEN ARTS

It has been heartwarming to collaborate with our ever growing numbers of members and friends as we helped the Board with its forward planning.  I’m really looking forward to the launch of its new Our Artists webpage where we can find out more about all their individual practices. My role as membership representative has been a rewarding experience personally as I watch over the integrity and diversity of the artisans and artistic practices developing across our region. I find that volunteering in this way really helps to widen my knowledge and experiences as well as serving others, so volunteering is a win win for me as it is for a number of regular volunteers who steward the exhibitions and welcome visitors to Craven Arts House, it was lovely to have our contributions recognised formally at the recent AGM.

NORTH YORKSHIRE OPEN STUDIOS

Becoming part of the 2025 NYOS circuit has been rewarding in so many ways. Being part of a group of artist opening their studios together at Craven Arts House was a real benefit to us, and to the hordes of people who visited. We circulated an associated Skipton area trail map that helped them get around the town and into the nearby Malhamdale area more easily.  Who knows how many more artisans will be joining in with us in 2026, we may need a bigger map!

NEXT 

What I’m working on next …

About my practice. I’m also taking a bit of time out to experiment and play with different surfaces, mediums, products and styles, both as a refresher and to develop a better understanding of how these interact so as to create a visual harmony and resonate with me. It can also challenge  stereotyped methods of working … we shall see what comes out sometime soon!

As the breadth of arts courses increases at Craven Arts I recently took advantage by joining a wet felting class with Trustee and tutor Clare Lamkin. Hand crafting with various types of wool,  including from our own families flock, and creating vibrantly coloured 3D objects that fed directly into my own practice was exciting and will continue to do so I feel. Perhaps I shall have items on show, or even for sale at our next Artisan makers markets at Craven Arts House on 30/31 August and elsewhere later in the year.

Not forgetting little Isla and Ollie our two adorable great grandchildren who both stepped into the wonderful world of the arts ...   

Ollie was fascinated with Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further)

COMING UP … Exhibitions

We’re currently showing on Vision and Verse which has been very popular as our visitors immerse themselves in the poetry and verse that has inspired the artworks. Our next one will be Traces - Skipton’s history in focus. Researching the Old Grammar School house, my grandparents home before it became the Cross Keys Inn has been so absorbing, as has finding out about the grotto in the Wilderness close by … that's all still in progress!

IN THE MEANTIME …

Do keep an eye on my blog pages and call into Studio 3 Craven Arts House at any time Thursday, Fridays or Saturdays 11 A.M - 4 P.M. (or by separate arrangement via email) to check out my work as it evolves. Find out what we are doing and where we are going to be next, through my future News and. Blogs or via my comments page. 

Thank you to everyone for your support!