BRADFORD artist Lynne Dobson has captured landmarks around the district in paintings which have gone on display.

Cartwright Hall, Sunbridgewells and the Alhambra are among the places which appear in Lynne’s colourful paintings.

The retired art teacher’s ‘My Town’ paintings were recently exhibited at the Northern Tea House in Huddersfield, and she also has paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo on display at Hebden Bridge’s Vision On gallery.

"Art has been a passion of mine from an early age," says Lynne. "It's even a way of life, as my father was an artist and spent many hours entertaining me with drawings, then in later years encouraging me to enter every art competition available. We shared a few local exhibitions, both painting local landscapes - me using acrylics, my father watercolours."

In recent years Lynne has combined her job as a primary school art teacher with promoting children's art in the district. Now retired, she paints in studio at the top of her Bradford house.

"Many artists have a set style, but I find it difficult to stick to one theme or topic," she says. "My work ranges from abstract, traditional, semi-abstract, pencil drawings to collage. I enjoy colour, so my latest project has provided me with great pleasure."

Her 'My Town' series of paintings include the statue of WE Forster, now standing outside the Broadway shopping centre, City Hall, Lister's Mill, Cartwright Hall, the National Science and Media Museum, a mosque and Valley Parade.

"It began with a Shipley/ Saltaire abstract painting featuring landmarks such as Salts Mill and Shipley's market clocktower. This was submitted to an exhibition and was sold within a few weeks. Someone saw it and asked if I would do a Bradford-themed painting. I included an image of her house among the landmarks, which proved a hit - so much so that she ordered three more paintings, plus cushions, greeting cards and table mats featuring the design."

Adds Lynne: "Since then the idea snowballed to people around the country wanting landmarks of their home towns, with their homes included in the paintings.

"Two Bradford schools commissioned paintings which included an image of each school with their logo.

"Since retiring, I have painted murals in a few schools. Now I'm hoping to throw out the 'My Town' idea to schools as indoor murals. I painted an 'outdoor classroom' for Dixons Marchbank Primary School, using children's sketches of Bradford. This teaches children the history of the town they live in and makes them more aware of their surroundings."

Lynne paints from photographs, particularly if she requires historical detail, and also paints scenes from her imagination.

"I love colour so for the abstract `My Town` paintings I took landmark shapes from photographs," she adds.

Fascinated by the "lives and eccentricities" of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell, Lynne also admires old masters such as Turner and up-and-coming amateur artists.

"The 'My Town' exhibition has finished, but I'm always hopeful of new venues and places to exhibit and sell my work," she says.

"I also have another project painting portraits of animals, which is proving popular. How did I find time to work?" she smiles.

* For more about Lynne Dobson's work email red4paint@yahoo.co.uk