Picture perfect

His home city of Bradford was the early inspiration for David Hockney, regarded as the world’s greatest living artist, and in the district there are plenty of up-and-coming artists pursuing their passion as a pastime or as a profession – and a large number of them are women.

Watercolourist Sue Brearley’s bold 3D paintings, some embellished with sand and driftwood she brings home from coastal strolls, explore the moods of Yorkshire.

“When you’re out in the Yorkshire landscape you’re seduced,” she says. “It’s so moody and magical. I love the old buildings. I use ink quite a lot because it captures the mood and atmosphere.”

Sue’s interest in art started as a child. She studied art while training to be a teacher, but never actually taught it.

“If you do it for a living, you don’t want to do it for fun,” she says. “It’s a relief from the monotony of ironing and cooking.”

Now retired, Sue is a member of Menston Art Club. Painting has been her therapy since her 17-year-old son was killed in a road accident three years ago.

Sue, who also has a daughter, describes her son’s death as “heart-numbing”. She escaped into painting and drawing. “Painting is a therapy. It has always been there,” says Sue.

Otley artist Elizabeth Waterhouse was in her late 30s when she picked up a paintbrush. She joined a local art group and won an award for her work in the first year.

“It springboarded from there,” says Elizabeth, who describes her vibrant coloured paintings as “Old Holland style”.

She’s inspired by the gardens her husband works in. Some of her mixed media work – she uses pen and ink and watercolour – has gone into private collections.

“It’s an old-fashioned style with a quirky contemporary take,” Elizabeth explains. “Painting is like an energy, a life-force. Once you have it, you shouldn’t lose it.”

Vegetables are what inspires Michele Raisin. She loves their vibrancy and colour.

“We have a house in Turkey. It’s the most fabulous place for any artist. It’s so vibrant and full of life – and veg!” she laughs.

She’s inspired by Turkish fish markets and rugged-looking fishermen standing in their boats. “I like natural objects; shells and plants,” says Michele, a supply teacher.

Sheila Venamore and Joy Godfrey were successful in art at school, but didn’t pursue it seriously until later in life.

Marriage and motherhood took Sheila away from her art, but five years ago she had chance to pick it back up again when, aged 45, she did a computer course at Harrogate College and was given chance to study fine art and photography.

She has exhibited her work ,but says painting is mainly for pleasure. She loves painting Mardi Gras masks, inspired by her trip to Venice, and the ancient buildings of the Italian city. “I love anything to do with Venice, I love the mystery, the intrigue and glamour.”

Joy Godfrey shares her creative flair with her sister, Christine Bailey. Joy’s passion is painting, Christine’s is pottery and ceramics and they’re currently collaborating on an exhibition at the Cavendish Pavilion at Bolton Abbey.

Joy says their skill comes from their mum, a dressmaker. Joy picked up a paintbrush when she returned to the classroom when she was 36.

“I was always top in art at school. I probably should have gone to art school, but in the late 1950s there was a cautious atmosphere,” she says. “Women were brought up to find a nice husband and have safe secretarial training.”

She kept up her painting at evening classes. At 32, she was accepted into St Alban’s School of Art, and, after moving to Yorkshire, her place was transferred to Bradford College of Art.

Now 72, Joy has experimented with different art forms, including bronze sculpting and silk screen printing.

She says art is a constant challenge. “I’ve got the energy and the will to do it. I just want to do something a lot more dynamic with my life,” she says.

“It’s not easy painting. David Hockney summed it up – he has done a lot of paintings of East Yorkshire and they really come to life. A painting captures the essence of landscape in a far better way than a camera.”

Lorain Behrens has had a passion for art since she was nine. She experiments with mixed media.

“Ten years ago, I received a watercolour set as a present and I started going to an art group in Baildon,” she says.

The Menston mum-of-two dabbled with watercolour, and when her youngest son started school, she did an art access course for mature students at Shipley College and discovered an interest in creative textiles.

It led to her setting up Unique Arts in Thornton, enabling local artists to showcase their work. She also teaches art at an after-school club in Guiseley.

Altered art is her favoured form, bringing recycled books and junk to life in an artistic way.

Lorain, 46, has sold artwork through the Unique Arts shop. “It’s a real buzz when someone has bought something you’ve made,” says Lorain. “Some of the things have found their way to Canada, Australia and various parts of the world!”