FROM large-scale charcoal drawings of mountains, to delicate depictions of individual rock climbs in ink, the work of artist Tessa Lyons is to be showcased at the Heaton Cooper Gallery, Grasmere.

Keen climber Tessa, 27, is intrigued by the visual appeal of geology, and she creates pictures inspired by Japanese calligraphy and Zen painting.

Her new exhibition, Prominent Lines, opens on Monday (January 25) and sets out to explore the aesthetic appeal of rock climbing and mountains, through works that evoke the places Tessa is drawn towards.

One of the Sheffield-based artist's most viewed recent works is on display at the remote Black Sail youth hostel - a picture of Pillar Rock, commissioned by the YHA in 2014. The piece is on permanent display in the tiny sitting-cum-dining room for walkers, runners and climbers taking refuge to enjoy.

“Climbers often talk about certain climbs, or lines, as being ‘beautiful’,” said Tessa.

"At the crag, a prominent line will draw your eye, striking inspiration, leaving you with a burning desire to do the climb. With these drawings I’m looking to capture the essence of those compelling lines with a strong simplicity inspired by Japanese calligraphy and Zen painting, the textural qualities found in printmaking and observational drawings of the rock formations.”

Tessa studied illustration at the University of Brighton where she was won the Highly Commended Award by Nagoya University of Arts for her charcoal and chalk drawing Summit of Haystacks, The Lake District. Since graduating she has had gone on to exhibit nationwide in both group and solo exhibitions as well as being shortlisted for numerous awards including the Association of Illustrators New Talent Award, and BITE, the UK’s leading printmaking competition.

Tessa believes that, during climbs, a state of heightened awareness can be reached, and she explained: "You’re aware of subtleties in the formation of the rock under your skin, your body is engaged in the flow of movement and your mind is right there, present with you.

"I have found a certain correlation between the mental concentration and calmness I sometimes experience during climbing with this condensed and bold way of drawing. This fascinates me and I feel it’s a fitting way to try and express the nature of climbing and the inspiration that it brings."

Director of the Heaton Cooper Studio, Becky Heaton Cooper, said: “We are thrilled to be showing these striking and memorable works by a very talented young artist. The exhibition will fit very naturally into our permanent collection of landscape art.”

Prominent Lines runs until March 6.