CLAIRE West paints because it makes her happy.

“I hope my work has the same joyful effect on others,” she says. Clearly it does, because she is exhibiting for a second time at the Saltbox Gallery and Workshop in Castlegate, Helmsley.

Claire usually works on canvas in acrylic and inks and produces textured work through layers of paint and random dripping inks.

“As a painting develops, I discover the happy accidents that have evolved and help to form the finished painting, often dictating where detail will happen,” she says.

Her subjects are often taken from her surroundings. “Whether it’s a view from the car window or a simple jug of flowers, I enjoy drawing attention to the things in life that we often pass by,” she says.

Claire has gained professional artist status with the East Riding Artists and although she has worked as a freelance artist for many television productions, she is concentrating now on exhibiting.

“She has a strong belief in the power of colour therapy in lifting the spirit and the arrival of her work at the Saltbox is certain to chase away any wintry blues,” says gallery owner Louise Dwyer.

Claire’s colourful brushwork features in the Saltbox spring exhibition alongside new ranges of art and fine craft, jewellery, metal work and garden sculpture.

Representing Spotlight jewellery from Yorkshire are Pamela Dickinson’s granulated rings; Sue Gregor’s floral acrylic bangles; Devon Erica Sharpe’s gold rings, based on an ancient Anglo-Saxon design of knotted and twisted gold bands; and Disa Allsopp’s organic handcrafted ring designs, inspired by ancient jewellery forms, with large citrines, aquamarine and garnet gemstones.

Lauren Van Helmond is making his Saltbox debut with his humorous blacksmithing and narrative wire sculptures; established Yorkshire artist Robert Dutton is exhibiting East Coast seascape paintings; and London Halfmoon printmaker Sonia Rollo is among the other artist on show until May 15.

• Gallery opening hours are 10am to 3.45pm, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10am to 4.30pm, Thursday and Friday; 10am to 5pm, Saturday.