Couple set to shine in art exhibition at historic house

This year Liz Clarke and Dave Marsh, from Ilkley, are celebrating their seventh anniversary, as well as marking the seventh year since they started their business, the Elm Gallery.

Now, they will showcase their paintings and drawings at Treasurer’s House, York, in a special exhibition, which starts on Saturday and runs until November 3.

Ms Clarke said: “I only started painting seriously in 2003. I had always wanted to paint, but the pressures of a ‘proper job’ left little time to pursue this dream. Only two weeks after meeting Dave in 2004, we both realised we wanted to make art more of a day job. We took small steps first, attending local arts and craft fairs, then interest in our work grew. It’s great now when someone asks ‘What do you do for a living?’ to be able to say ‘I’m an artist.’”

In 2005 the couple transformed Mr Marsh’s home on Addingham Moorside into the Elm Gallery.

Ms Clarke is a mixed- media artist whose work is characterised by strong vibrant colours covering subjects from landscapes to mystical themes. Mr Marsh is known for his pen and ink drawings, but now works mainly in watercolour and gouache.