LONDON artist Alfred Huckett is to take up his third residency at the York Early Music Festival this summer.

"Alfred is the only artist to have been invited back so many times, his previous visits in 1995 and 2010 having resulted in some stunning work," says Ann Petherick, from Kentmere House Gallery in Scarcroft Hill, who has collaborated regularly with the festival to invite an artist to work during the performances and rehearsals.

This year is the seventh such collaboration. Each time, an exhibition of the resulting paintings and drawings is held, this year from December 6 to 20 at the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate.

"All artists love the special privilege of painting during performances, but none more so than Alfred," says Ann.

"His approach to the residencies is based on his life-long love of music, and his ongoing involvement as a singer in an early music choir in London. Both his work and his presence around the festival have been enjoyed by all concerned, as he immerses himself in the music, the venues, and the interactions with the performers."

From an early age, music and art have been keystones in Alfred's life. "But it's only in later years that I've sought to unite these two passions," he says. "My first residency at York was in 1995 and during the intervening years my approach and style has taken several turns in my efforts to document this wonderful and important event in the Early Music calendar.

"In my previous residencies, I've worked from relatively figurative ideas to a freer approach more concerned with the movement of the musicians, along with some depictions of the music itself. This last area is the one that now interests me: neither abstract nor figurative, but based on the actual piece of music.”

Alfred also enjoys recording the atmosphere and detail of the diverse venues used for the festival, among them the Nave and Quire of York Minster, the Merchant Adventurers' Hall and many of York’s churches, such as St Michael le Belfrey and St. Margaret’s, the home of the NCEM.

"Many concert-goers still remember his series of paintings of the Five Sisters window in the Minster, painted throughout a Purcell concert, with the colour of the glass darkening as the light faded outside," says Ann.

Welcoming Alfred to York once more, festival administrative director Delma Tomlin says: "We love having Alfred around as he's such an enthusiast for the music and knows many of the performers. He and his work add another dimension to the festival for all involved and his paintings enable the festival to live on in the minds of its supporters.”

The long gap between Alfred's first and second residency can be explained in part by his spending 2003 to 2009 sailing around the coast of northern Spain. He has since returned to live in north London, where he not only paints but also has become interested in film making.

This summer, he will be in York for the festival run from July 10 to 19. Further information and ticket details can be found at ncem.co.uk