DIANE Thornton's first solo exhibition in York, The Love Of Colour, will run until November 9 at the Blake Gallery, Blake Street.

Her inspiration comes from the beauty of the North Yorkshire landscape. "I am so lucky to live in Skelton, with the Dales, the Moors, the East Coast, the beautiful City of York and the Lake District right on my doorstep," she says.

Diane works in most mediums. "My favourites are pastels, for the immediacy and vibrancy of colour, and mixed media, for the exciting combination of the texture created and the unexpected mingling of the colours when combining acrylics, pastel, oil pastel and watercolours," she says.

"I hope to convey that little splash of colour, that flash of light, that sparked and excited me into painting the subject in the first place."

For a change of subject, Diane sets up a still life in her studio, or one of her four cats is always on hand to pose.

During the exhibition run, the Blake Gallery will be open from 10am to 5pm. Meanwhile, examples of Diane's work can be seen at www.artgal.net.

Updated: 09:56 Friday, October 24, 2003