COMING up next month, people will be able to drop in on artists and makers working away in their studios, chat about their work, enjoy a cup of tea and even come away with a unique piece of art, from traditional landscape paintings, ceramics and sculpture with a 'steam punk twist'.

Over the first two weekends in June, Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2; and Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, from 10am to 5pm, a total of 35 artists in the Yorkshire Dales, and also in Skipton and South Craven, will be inviting the public in as part of the summer event of North Yorkshire Open Studios.

A spokesperson for some of the artists opening their studios next month said: "There can be few things more fun than spending a weekend driving round the Yorkshire Dales and dropping in to meet artists in their studios.

"The first two weekends in June is the perfect time to do this, as this is when the North Yorkshire Open Studio event happens - when 35 artists in the Dales area, and many more further afield in North Yorkshire, throw their doors open to the public.

"From Reeth to Lothersdale, Bentham to Cross Hills you can see an amazing diversity of work in oils, watercolours, clay, bronze and textiles in the studios where the magic happens.

"Up in Reeth you have the beautifully understated studies of the human form by Jane Ellis, the crazy and amazing sculptures of Michael Kusz, wild life with a steam punk twist. Nearby are the two Martins - Kinnear and Lever, one producing traditional oils and colourful contemporary paintings, the other, graphic works informed by many years spent painting in Hong Kong."

Over to the West of the Dales area, there will be a chance to see two excellent and experienced landscape artists Terry Hird in Burton in Lonsdale and Tony Roberts in High Bentham.

The spokesperson said: "Both take their inspiration from the local landscape and it is interesting to see how their individual styles make their work quite distinctive and different from each other.

"Meanwhile down in Lothersdale, there will be a trio of talent with Sue Strange’s colourful geometric paintings, Nicole Dickinson’s atmospheric paintings, and Keith Dickinson’s minimalist prints.

"Also getting down, dirty and inky are printers Helen Payton in Skipton with her fun graphic images, and Hester Cox in Horton-in- Ribbledale, whose work explores the wildlife and ecology of the upland meadows."

And, if ceramics are 'more your cuppa', then not too far away is Anna Lambert whose whimsical hand built pots explore the narrative of local trees and farmland.

"At Allison Wiffen’s studio in Gargrave you can actually buy a mug to have your cuppa in. Her offering is bold and bright and encompasses mugs, plates and vases, as well as ceramic wall art and ceramic jewellery," added the spokesperson.

"In nearby Grassington, another ceramist, Emmeline Butler, makes pots that look like they have been hewn from the rock that inspired them, complete with surface patterns of cracks and fissures and decorated with subtle colours.

"Our duo of textile artists Gilly Craven and Judy Metcalfe are based in Cononley and Bell Busk respectively. Gilly does bold and colourful machine embroidery inspired by nature. Judy uses seed heads and weeds from her garden to print onto fabric, producing work of an ethereal subtlety.

"So whatever your preferred medium, there will be something interesting to see, and someone interesting to meet, and the opportunity to buy a unique piece of art direct from the maker, or perhaps commission something special for your home.

To plan your trip and see the work of the various artists taking part go to: nyos.org.uk The event, held every year, allows artists and makers to meet, promote and sell their work directly to people, who in turn can see close up what they are buying. North Yorkshire Open Studios is split into three areas - the Dales, Central, and Moors and Coast. It includes artists and makers working across a range of different disciplines including painting, printmaking, ceramics, woodwork, glass, jewellery, photography, sculpture, textiles, mixed media, and more.

A spokesperson for NYOS said: "If you can’t make it to a studio, most artists would be happy to arrange a time for you to visit that is suitable for you both. You can find an artist’s contact details on their profile page or in the NYOS brochure. Most artists also have their own websites with more details about how to contact them or other events they are taking part in.

This year will also see the return of the winter open studios event, which is due to take place over the first weekend in November, Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3.

Find out more at: https://nyos.org.uk/