A Richmond artist who began exhibiting nationally only a year ago has been voted among the UK's top ten for the fourth consecutive season.

Kate Green first exhibited her watercolour still life studies at the British Society of Painters' quarterly show at Ilkley, West Yorkshire, last Christmas, alongside more than 170 other artists.

The exhibition attracts about 7,000 members of the public, who are invited to vote for their favourite artist, and the top ten selected are awarded prizes.

Mrs Green, 55, of High Garth, was chosen as one of the ten at that first exhibition and repeated her success in the subsequent spring, summer and autumn shows.

Organisers told her that most artists, even those who exhibit for many years, never get into the top ten.

She was also elected an associate of the British Watercolour Society, which was founded in London in 1911, and is a companion of the International Guild of Artists.

Mrs Green, who had always exercised her creative talent on tapestry and dried flower arranging, took up painting about six years ago after studies for an Open University degree encompassed the history and philosophy of art.

She took a beginners' National Certificate of Further Education watercolour course at Askham Bryan college, near York.

"I had always fancied watercolours," she said. "The delicacy of it attracted me; oils seemed so heavy-handed."

Although she has dabbled with landscapes, the core of her work is still life, concentrating on old, worn items with lots of character. Favourite subjects are a pair of old boots, some worn satin ballet shoes and piles of ancient books.

"I like to paint atmosphere, old items and chipped things. It's a bit like painting a portrait without the person."

She submits six paintings to each exhibition and a selection panel assesses the work. All paintings shown must be offered for sale and Mrs Green has sold several over the year.

She paints most days and a painting takes about 40 hours to complete. Her work was first showcased at an exhibition in Leyburn in summer 2001, which gave her the confidence to submit work to Ilkley.

Mrs Green's work is framed by her husband, Bill, a retired Richmondshire district council planning officer. "I'm extremely proud of her," he said. "She is very modest about her talent but I am delighted that her work is proving so popular."

Mrs Green's work will be seen again at Ilkley at this year's Christmas exhibition, which opens in November.