WORK by Northern artists - including one who “paints with smoke” - has gone on show this weekend in Leyburn.

The private viewing of work by artists Jo Stockdale, Ben Gillham and Neil Higton was put on display in the Leyburn home of Tracey Sharpe and her husband Professor David Sharpe OBE.

Artist Neil Higton specialises in “fumage” which involves using a candle to burn a piece of glass black, before scraping detail into the charring to create his art.

His work recently featured on BBC’s The One Show, after he produced a piece to commemorate the anniversary of The Great Fire of London in 1666. The piece was among the work exhibited in the display.

Also featuring in the exhibition, which took place on Saturday (October 15) and Sunday (October 16) was the work of self-taught artist Jo Stockdale, who grew up in Middleham, near Leyburn and whose work is inspired by its horse racing community and countryside of the area.

Another self-taught artist, and grounds maintenance worker Ben Gillham, from Calverley near Leeds also featured in what was his first exhibition.

Tracey Sharpe said: “Ben was our grounds man at our old place in Calverley, Leeds, we have since moved but have kept in touch.

“He is still doing odd jobs for people but after this weekend I believe this exhibition will be a life changing step for him. He is technically brilliant, I couldn't help but gasp at his work, it is so incredible.”