WEST Yorkshire still-life painter Jo Aylward is exhibiting for the first time at Kentmere House Gallery, in Scarcroft Hill, York.

"Jo's paintings are calm and relaxing, using a subtle range of colours very much in tune with today's interiors," says gallery owner Ann Petherick.

Aylward studied first at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in 1994 before graduating with a First in Fine Art Painting and Printmaking from Bretton Hall College in 1997.

She says; "For some time, my work has been almost exclusively in still life, with the objects I surround myself with in my home and studio forming my main source of inspiration."

Kentmere House holds its latest open weekend tomorrow and on Sunday, from 11am to 5pm. Otherwise, the gallery is open every Thursday, 6pm to 9pm, or at any time by appointment on 01904 656507.

Updated: 09:17 Friday, February 01, 2002