New artwork has appeared on a bus shelter in Ingleton celebrating the village’s rural charm.
Minimalistic paintings of cows, sheep and chickens by student artist Jessica Leech have won praise from villagers and visitors alike.
The artwork comes after Ingleton Parish Council gave the bus stop at the east of the village a makeover.
Parish clerk Joyce Mead said: “Jessica, the artist who had given the shelter its first design in 2023 and who just happens to be the daughter of the council’s chairman, took up the challenge to paint it in such a way as to reflect the rural community.
“Once the work was carried out there was a great deal of positive feedback.”
Jessica who is currently studying fine art at Northumbria University, completed her GCSE and A-levels in art at Teesdale School and QE College respectively.
She also attended Cardiff University before moving to Northumbria.
She drew inspiration for her work from photographs taken by a farming neighbour.
Jessica said: “It took about a week. I spread it out, but the actual designs I got them done in just a few hours.
“I like to paint. I usually do portraiture and animals are not really my thing but it is what people want – I think it was quite well received.”
The delighted village also sent Jessica a letter in appreciation of her work.
The parish clerk said: “An email was received by the council from a neighbouring village’s parish councillor who, having seen it for himself and hearing from positive comments from other residents, sent his congratulations and wrote: ‘… I have spoken to various residents in our own village on this matter, including one who said that every time she passed through Ingleton, the bus shelter made her smile’.
“He also let the council know that her work had inspired an artist in their own village to design something for their village bus shelter.
“It is indeed, a great tribute to any artist to be an inspiration to others and Jessica has achieved this with flair.”
