I BOUGHT a recipe booklet in a charity shop and later I saw that it celebrated the 30th anniversary of Sue Ryder Homes.

Unusual recipes appear in the book: banana biscuits, cheeseburger pie, dock leaf pudding, and custard pudding, as well as traditional Yorkshire recipes.

The watercolour images on many of the pages were by the late Keighley artist Arthur Craven, which is an unusual presentation for a cookery book.

Some of the images in the book show Manorlands and its gardens, All Saints Church in Bingley, and Lothersdale. A wide area is covered.

Watercolours are often in subdued colours and should be displayed out of the light to prevent fading. Arthur’s paintings were much stronger in colour.

My interest in Arthur Craven’s art began 25 years ago when viewing paintings in his art gallery in Scott Street, Keighley. He also taught out on the top floor, after moving from his Haworth gallery.

At Arthur’s classes, he always gave his pupils feedback. Former pupil Christine Wrathall explained that one day he bypassed her, and when he asked her why he replied “what is there to say?”. Praise indeed.

Another ex-pupil, Pat Jones, in turn teaches art at Kelbrook. Pat is to demonstrate at Keighley Art Club on March 16 from 6.45pm to 8.45pm. Visitors are welcome. A small fee will be charged.

Arthur’s style is still evident in various artists around Keighley and district.

Born in Sutton in 1934, he studied for three years Keighley School of Art. He demonstrated at Keighley Art Club and was an honorary member until he died.

He produced eight videos and painted the Dales, the Lake District and Scottish mountain scenes.

One ex-pupil described how in one video Arthur is sitting under an umbrella in heavy snowfall, painting.

Arthur’s advertisements appeared in Dalesman magazine. He announced the sales of original paintings, gifts, greeting cards, materials and picture frames from his gallery, where he was helped by his wife.

Arthur Craven’s works, and work by other talents in the district, were showcased in Keighley Library’s centenary art exhibition in 2004.

His works can now be seen worldwide and he was a member of the Yorkshire Watercolour Society. He had had paintings in the House of Commons and an exhibition in the London Westminster and also Doncaster Municipal Galleries.

Many, if not all, of Arthur’s paintings contain outlines of birds. One pupil told me that after likened his birds to aeroplanes.

Keighley Art Club will not meet until late February, because instead we worked through the summer months.

Demonstrations will be held, where people will be able to ask questions about things which may puzzle them. This is one way of learning about art. The audience does not paint at these events. Visitors are asked to pay £4 which is a fraction of the usual display fees.

Donations of art equipment have been made to Keighley Art Club.

The members are most grateful and thanks are given to all concerned for their kindness and generosity.

Our exhibition in Cliffe Castle Museum finished on December 13 and several paintings were sold. Both Bingley and Keighley clubs appreciated the sales. Thirty per cent of the proceeds were deducted for our hosts, Cliffe Castle.