CHANTRY House Art Gallery is hosting a joint exhibition of new work by Yorkshire artists John Thornton and James Wheeler to celebrate their 70th birthdays this autumn.

Emma Hargreaves, owner of the gallery in Ripley, near Harrogate, says: "We're delighted to host this very special exhibition. John and James are exceptionally talented and their work fits in perfectly with our aim of promoting Yorkshire artists who paint Yorkshire subjects.

“They are two of the gallery’s most popular artists and the fact that they are both celebrating their 70th birthdays this year makes this a very exciting exhibition. The quality and scope of their work means we're very proud indeed to share in their birthday celebrations.”

John Thornton was born in York in 1944. At the age of 22, he moved to Cornwall as part of the hippy movement and lived in the sand dunes for the summers of ’67 and ’68. In 1969 he moved to London for five years, then returned to Cornwall for two more before heading back to Yorkshire, where he has been ever since.

"Having always had a great interest in art, I decided about nine years ago to pursue it more intently," says John. " Working with wood for a living, which involved carving rocking horses, repairing and making oak furniture, there was constantly an opportunity to create, and so painting seemed a natural progression.

“I've exhibited at Chantry House on a permanent basis since 2006 and my last solo exhibition there was in 2010. Emma has done a wonderful job there since she took over last year, refurbishing the gallery and introducing some new artists, and she appears to be doing well."

John describes his work as contemporary. "I paint in mixed media, often using acrylic, watercolour, gouache and ink within the same painting, with the addition of collage using materials collected while walking or beachcombing, to create added texture and movement," he says. "My main subject is the sea, the focus being the Yorkshire coastline, but also streams, rivers and woodland from around the local area. I try to capture the power and movement of the sea in all its moods."

James Wheeler was born in Glasgow in 1944, studied at the Glasgow School of Art and trained as a carpet designer before joining one of the largest carpet manufacturers in Yorkshire as the design studio manager, based in Brighouse.

James became one of Britain’s leading carpet designers, with colour and composition being so important in his professional designs. He then allowed this to flow naturally through the subtlety of hue and texture in his landscape paintings. Painting primarily in oils on cork, his work straddles the contemporary and the timeless, inviting viewers to a personal interpretation of each painting.

“It is in the light and atmosphere of the landscape, where I aim to mix memory and desire," he says. "My inspiration is drawn from visits home to Scotland and from holidays spent in France, Venice and the Mediterranean islands. Closer to home, my love of the Lake District and the magnificent Yorkshire scenery also inspires me. I love walking there."

James has had many successful exhibitions in the north of England and is a member of the Fine Arts Trades Guild, and he considers this month's exhibition to be a "great way" to mark his 70th birthday. "I've been exhibiting at Chantry House since the 1990s and have been very impressed with the way Emma has made her mark on the galley," he says. "Her eye for detail and love of painting are a great combination."

James Wheeler and John Thornton's joint exhibition runs at Chantry House Art Gallery, Main Street, Ripley, near Harrogate, until October 19.