A SCIENTIST who became a teacher and then turned full-time artist has spoken of how her love of fell running through Yorkshire’s landscapes has inspired her work as her new exhibition is about to open at Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC).

Sue Slack takes her inspiration from the natural landscapes of the Yorkshire Wolds, Moors and Dales that surround her, working predominately in acrylic and using a unique layering technique to create stunning paintings instantly recognisable due to their bold colours. .

“I do get a sense of pride when my paintings are exhibited well,” said Sue who has been painting full-time for almost 15 years.

“Exhibiting is a major part of my job. I love it when it all comes together-and you never know exactly how it’s going to look and whether you are going to get everything done in time,” she added.

There’s a lot more to being a full-time artist than people tend to realise, like running any business,” she said.

“I tend to paint in blocks of time, so I have a month where I can be completely immersed in creating new work.”

“Then there are the weeks where exhibitions are up and running or commissions are complete and I need to sort out the studio, order new materials, catch up on things generally. “

Over the years, Sue has experimented with a range of techniques but her main inspiration has remained the Yorkshire landscapes that surround her home of over 20 years in Lockton.

“I have tried many techniques and painting mediums over the years but seem to have settled on acrylic as it suits my technique of painting in layers. I also enjoy working with inks and mixed media,” she said.

“I love the shape of the land and the way light catches a certain hill or shines through a clump of trees. I love the differences between the Wolds, the Moors and the Dales, all within relatively easy reach of where I live.

“My passion for fell running in recent years has certainly fuelled my enthusiasm for the landscape in which I live and work.”

Sue Slack’s exhibition Landscapes is at PAC until Saturday, October 19. Free entry (during opening hours only).