Artist Ross Moore is a Midlander by birth but has made his home and found inspiration in the Holme Valley.

Scenes of his adopted Yorkshire countryside can be seen among those of more exotic landscapes and images, from as far afield as Morocco and Spain, in his new exhibition at Dewsbury Museum.

Ross, 56, is showing 23 of his colourful works in a one-man show from tomorrow until Sunday, March 23, after which the exhibition will move to galleries in Northallerton and York. Later in the year he is also hoping to show in Central France.

The artist first came to Holmfirth back in the 1980s after studying for an arts degree at Bretton Hall College. Although he majored in fine art, upon graduation Ross turned to the theatre and joined a touring company called Glassworks.

A change in career direction some years later took him into special needs education as a musician, teaching West African drumming. But today Ross lives by art alone and since moving back to the Huddersfield area seven years ago has established a following for his bright landscapes and stylised animals.

Working mainly in inks, his paintings have a jewel-like quality that suits his subject matter. He finds inspiration in both home-grown scenery and that of Europe and Africa, but always places where he has travelled.

Artist Ross Moore in his studio at Booth House, Holmfirth.
Artist Ross Moore in his studio at Booth House, Holmfirth.

“I work from drawings and photographs,” he said, “but I have to know the place I am painting, I have to have been there. I used to do bigger landscapes in acrylic but then I discovered the magic of inks.”

Ross says he is known as a prolific artist, producing upwards of 100 works each year. He puts this down to a strict work ethic. In the winter months he starts to paint as soon as it gets light and continues until the skies darken.

“And then I do my admin work and drawing,” he explained. “I do that six or seven days a week and work longer in the summer.” His style, he says, can’t be easily defined, being a cross-over between impressionism, expressionism and realism.

Ross is now based at the Booth House Gallery in Holmfirth run by fellow artist Jim Robison, who was one of his tutors at Bretton Hall.

He is particularly drawn to animals as the subject matter for highly decorative works and depicts everything from cattle to sheep and birds.

Ross’s work can be seen at Booth House Gallery and on his website, www.rossmooreart.co.uk