IN THE exhibition space upstairs at Kendal Library, Gordon Hunt's River Esk greets you, with its craggy bank overhanging crystal clear waters, and a splash of colour from the heather peeping out of stoney cracks.

Opposite hangs his Stonethwaite Beck and Rydal Beck paintings in gouache and, farther along, shards of light pierce angry clouds, in the almost Biblical setting of Sunshine after the Storm.

On the other side of the popular library display area reside Heather Hunt's ceramics.

Shining forth, mystical and religious images such as St Matthew, St John, and Celtic Cross, plus others like Gemini, Peacock and Sea Horse, all wrapped in an attractive textured wood framework.

Hand-made, fired and glaze fired, then smoke fired, Heather applies real gold leaf to highlight the relief, giving a unique artefact appearance.

The ceramic and painting exhibition is just the tip of the iceberg as regards the creative husband and wife team from Oxenholme.

Examples of their work, under the couple's Helm Grove Murals banner, can be seen across the region, from the Low Wood Hotel's Penny Lane 1960s-themed restaurant, Pop Art-style, with a Thunderbirds comic strip; a country garden scene on the walls of the Lindeth Howe Hotel's swimming pool; and they put their brushes to work recently, replacing the mural of St Martin's Parish Church, at Bowness.

Both are members of Kendal Art Society and Green Door Studios and Heather, like Gordon, gained her degree at North Staffordshire Polytechnic; hers in ceramics, Gordon's in graphic design.

Since 1981, he's worked as a designer for several companies across the country, and for the past nine years as a partner in Kendal-based 2H Design.

Heather tells me she's always produced her ceramics at home: "We have two potting sheds, one for the lawnmower and one for the kiln and wheel.

Over the years I haven't devoted as much time and effort to my ceramics as I would have liked, due to work commitments as a teacher.

Although I've recently redressed the balance, in favour of my ceramics."

The library exhibition runs until August 29.

Further information about Heather and Gordon on www.helmgrove.btinternet.co.uk