The family of a well known, “larger-than-life” artist are hoping to put together a posthumous exhibition of his work to honour his life.

Arthur Craven died in Steeton Court Nursing Home on March 11 after a short illness. He was 78.

The watercolour artist was known locally for both his own work and for teaching others to paint through art classes in Haworth and Utley. He displayed his work in galleries on Haworth Main Street and Scott Street in Keighley during his years as a professional artist.

Mr Craven sold works to buyers as far afield as Australia and America, and his family believe he may have produced more than 1,000 paintings in his lifetime.

Born in Sutton, Mr Craven attended art college in Keighley before qualifying as a mechanic at Cox’s Garage.

National service followed in the RAF, and he then became an ambulance driver before returning to his true vocation, art. Most of his paintings depicted the Yorkshire countryside, and many featured local farms and rural buildings in Haworth, Wharfedale and Craven.

He was a member of the Yorkshire Watercolour Society for many years, and together with his wife Evelyn ran Craven Studios art gallery in Haworth from 1981 to 1989 before moving to a Keighley gallery between 1990 and 2000.

He held weekly art classes for many years at St Mark’s in Utley.

His work has been displayed in the House of Commons, and the family have donated pictures to Airedale Hospital and various other public buildings. Mr Craven retired from painting because of ill health two years ago, and his family are currently trying to work out which is his final piece.

As well as his classes, Mr Craven (above) reached out to artists in their own homes, releasing eight videos and DVDs entitled ‘Paint Along With Arthur’ that have sold country-wide.

His daughter-in-law, Judith, said: “He was described by all who knew him as larger-than-life, witty and full of fun.”

Mrs Craven said the family were planning to honour her father-in-law with an exhibition celebrating his work.