AN AWARD-winning artist is bringing the beauty of York and North Yorkshire to Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC).

Jean Boswell, 79, is a great-grandmother and cancer survivor who has successfully turned a lifelong love for painting into an award winning hobby.

Now the former market trader is preparing to open her latest exhibition, which features some of the most picturesque landmarks and scenery that York and North Yorkshire has to offer, at PAC.

Jean said: “I find painting very therapeutic. Any problems you may have, painting just carries them away.

“That’s the reason I did the Tour de Yorkshire painting because there are a lot of people in it, there is so much going on, it was just the distraction I needed.”

Her latest exhibition, which is mostly in oils, features colourful scenes from across the region, including Scarborough, York, Burnby Hall and Gardens, Helmsley, Thornton-le-Dale, the Hole of Horcum, Rosedale, Staithes, Hutton-le-Hole and one of her favourite places, Robin Hood’s Bay.

It also includes portraits of her nearest and dearest, including her five grandchildren and three great grandchildren aged 11, nine and just nine months.

“I’m always painting my family and friends, it’s just a lovely way to capture memories,” Jean said.

Jean’s love of painting started in her early childhood, but despite having once wanted to go to art school, she couldn’t afford not to work.

“I have painted all my life, since I was a child. I can remember sitting on our doorstep at the age of around four, and the neighbours coming past saying ‘what are you drawing today Jean?’,” she said.

“But I have never been to art school, my mother just couldn’t afford for me to go.”

After leaving school at 15, Jean worked as a junior clerk for a department store and a phone operator in the railway offices, before marrying Gordon. Next came their daughter Debbie and a career selling handbags and jewellery at York market.

After devoting much of her life to working at the market, caring for her late husband who lost his battle with MS almost 30 year ago, Jean has since found time to focus on her art. She is currently working on a private collection of paintings inspired by her childhood memories, including her experiences of growing up in York during the Second World War.

Jean’s exhibition runs at PAC from Thursday, August 9, to Tuesday, September 18. Free entry. For more information, go to pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk