A new exhibition of fine oil paintings is now running at Batley Art Gallery.

The show of artwork features 68 works, all created by well-known north Kirklees artist David Martin – and includes many local landmarks familiar to Batley and Dewsbury folk, such as the Pioneer Building, Bagshaw Museum, Wheelwright College and Batley Library.

And in one painting, David manages to transport Dewsbury buildings into the heart of a tranquil Venice scene!

Artist David was born in Birstall, educated in Batley and now lives and works from home in Thornhill, Dewsbury. He has always loved painting and drawing, inspired by local architecture and varied Yorkshire landscapes.

He said: “Landscape painting isn’t just about the scene before you but about capturing the feeling you felt when painting it and the reason you wanted to paint it in the first place. I don’t try to do anything different or controversial for the sake of it but just continue the traditional methods of creating a painting so that others can appreciate the beauty I see. I use a simple palette of usually only three colours and white in oils or watercolours and paint landscapes, seascapes, portraits and still lifes.”Among the many artists David admires are J M W Turner, John Singer Sargent, Edward Seago and Yorkshire artist David Curtis.

Venice scene by north Kirklees artist David Martin

He has works in many private collections, both in the UK and around the world and has portraits hanging in Crow Nest Mansion and Dewsbury Town Hall.

David’s work caught the eye of exhibition organisers and visitors at Batley when it received a large number of votes in last year’s open exhibition. In particular, David’s depictions of the library building and Station Road were very regarded – and this led to the current exhibition being arranged.

The exhibition runs until January 31 and entry is free.

Access is via stairs or lift to the first floor gallery. For further details contact Batley Library and Art Gallery on 01924 326021.

Exhibition view of David Martin's work