ORIGINAL linocuts by Cumbria-based painter and printmaker Mark Pearce are on show at Coniston. Depicting nature through layers of textured colours, Mark's Printmakers Views runs until June 2 at Brantwood's Severn Studio. Mark says "Brantwood is special to me as the home of John Ruskin who said, 'the purist and most thoughtful minds are those which love colour most.' In essence my prints are layers of pure colour and it will be exciting to share them with an audience already predisposed to Ruskin’s ideas." Open daily 10.30am-5pm.

THE Artists and Craftmakers of Halecat House at Witherslack are staging an open studio weekend this Saturday and Sunday. Artists featured include painter and sculptor Jessica Elleray, painter Fiona Clucas and three new members: sculptor Danny Clahane, potter Lara Clahane and painter Ben Mcloed. There will be work for sale, demonstrations and hands on activities for all ages. Abi and Tom`s plants will be also open. The event is open from 10.30am-5pm.

KATE Bentley's Out of the Woods solo exhibition of recent paintings is running at Keswick's Northern Lights Gallery. Running until May 11, most of the paintings are of imaginary places inspired in essence by Kate reconnaissance expeditions with her dogs collecting a dictionary of sights, smells, sounds and tastes of her surroundings and weather. Prizewinning Kate joined the illustrious ranks of the Lakes Artists Society in 2012.