An art shop and gallery in Ilkley has launched its latest exhibition.

The latest display of work to go up at The Art Shop on Hawksworth Street is by Fran Elliott.

However, Fran hasn’t always been a full-time artist.

She said: “Art was my favourite subject at school but I never got to fulfil my ambition of going to art school to develop my talent. The fact that I could draw led my teacher to advise that I should apply to art school but I chose to go to university and accepted a place on an Art History degree course instead.”

After achieving a post-graduate diploma in Paper Conservation at Camberwell School of Art, Fran began work as the Egyptian papyrus conservation officer at the British Museum.

But she says she found the work limited in terms of creativity and decided to move into public relations.

Sponsored by her employer, she did post-graduate training in print and publishing studies at London College of Printing which led to her having a successful career in marketing.

After moving to Yorkshire Fran and her husband set up a digital photography agency and, with access to a range of photographic equipment and expertise, she taught herself how to use the IT software Photoshop. She says: “This opened up a whole new world to me and now I can scan my original work and digitally manipulate my designs to meet any brief.

“I took this further after studying part-time over two years at Leeds College of Art in 2010-11.

“Being part of a group of artists at Leeds really motivated me and in 2013 I took part in the Ilkley Art Trail and exhibited at Christ Church.

“The feedback from visitors was great and I sent several original pieces to new homes and sold heaps of prints.”

She added: “This latest opportunity to exhibit throughout April at The Art Shop Gallery in Ilkley means I can offer new work that I have completed this winter.” Fran says: “I strongly believe art should be affordable and my exhibition at The Art Shop features prints, cards and original works all at different sizes and prices”.

All the work is available to order as prints.

For more information about Fran and her work visit her website at franelliott.com.

Her work is on display at The Art Shop until Sunday, April 27.