A NUMBER of pictures by the North Yorkshire artist, Elizabeth Smith, have been on show in the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists at the Mall Galleries in London.

As a member of the RSMA, she is entitled to exhibit six works, and this year chose the coastal regions of North Wales and Crete as her themes.

The pictures, executed in pastel, all demonstrate the strong sense of colour and light that typify her work.

Last year, Mrs Smith was elected as one of the four officers of the RSMA and has been involved with the planning of this year's annual exhibition.

The show features more than 300 of the finest pieces of artwork from marine artists across the country, and the selection committee, of which Mrs Smith is a member, has the often difficult task of choosing the best paintings by non-members to hang alongside the work of the 40 or so members.

All the exhibits celebrate the sea and maritime subjects of every kind, from yachts, square-riggers and modern sea-going ships to beaches, harbours and wildlife.

The London exhibition ends this weekend, and Mrs Smith will then begin preparing for her annual show in Swainby Village Hall at the end of November. This will include about 40 pictures, ranging from still-life subjects to landscapes and coastal views, many featuring North-East scenes.