WORK by Bradford-based artist Ben Snowden can be seen in numerous exhibitions across Yorkshire this year.

Galleries in Shipley, Leeds, Harrogate and Crayke near York are among those which are showing his striking paintings.

Themes include ‘Our Earth’, with a nine month global art exhibition about climate change and the environment being held at the Kunsthius Gallery in Crayke, North Yorkshire, featuring artists from across the world.

He is exhibiting in 'Self-Taught' at Shipley Library - an exhibition of ten local self- taught professional artists, and is among a group show of established and emerging Yorkshire artists showing at Silson Contemporary in Harrogate.

His striking paintings can also been seen at The Mansion Conservatory in Roundhay Park, Leeds, and on Saltaire Arts Trail.

Ben, whose influences include the poetry of William Blake, uses graphite, enamel, oils, household paints and other material son surfaces including cloth, textiles, paper, card, board, wood and slate.

He works hard in selecting pieces. “I always try to pick pieces that look different and exciting,” he says. “I want the viewer to really look at the paintings and take away some kind of feeling from the work.

“To understand a painting you need to spend time looking at it so you can think about what intrigues you about it. You then want to know what’s it about and how it was created. Whatever you feel you take away with you.”

He adds: “A good painting stirs up emotions inside you, be it good or bad, or maybe a feeling of excitement. It’s the same with music, your body can’t help but move to it, it’s very powerful.”

Ben, who grew up in Keighley, splits his time between different projects, many being themed on the natural world, the figure and human emotion. “I try to submit paintings to exhibitions that have some connection to those themes.”

He always selects existing work. “I live with the paintings and feel when they are ready to be exhibited,” he says. “I have a clear idea of what paintings I want to exhibit throughout the year and am always working on different projects so I have enough work for the following year. I like to be ready for upcoming exhibitions and art competitions. I plan ahead to avoid any stress or last minute errors.”

He feels very proud when he sees his paintings hanging in exhibitions. “It’s a fantastic feeling when your work is been selected for an art competition, or to be asked to be part of a show. It’s an amazing opportunity to show the outside world who you are as an artist.”

*Exhibitions: Silson Contemporary, in Harrogate, February 9 - April 13; 'Our Earth', Kunsthuis Gallery Crayke, North Yorkshire March 24 to December 23; 'Art Roundhay Park' at The Mansion Conservatory, Roundhay Park, Leeds, March 24 until early June; .

'Self-Taught' exhibition at Shipley Library, Shipley, March 26 - June 9. There's a ‘meet the artists’ day on June 2 (11am - 1pm) organised by notjusthockney.info

'Saltaire Arts Trail May 5-7.

*Visit bensnowdenartist.com; Ben is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.