An exhibition of work by a former BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year finalist, Drawn to the Moors, is at the Inspired by… galleryat The Moors National Park Centre at Danby from Thursday 5 September to Wednesday 16 October.
Dennis Roddam, who was a finalist in the national competition in 2009, creates wildlife images and views of the North York Moors by blending different mediums and techniques, with a focus on ceramics and mixed-media paintings.
Dennis, who is part of the Saltburn Artists Project at Saltburn Studios says: “I’ve lived in the North East since my childhood, and spent a lot of my youth rambling on the North York Moors. Living on the edge of the moors now, I’m fortunate to be able to spend a lot more of my time in this wonderful countryside.
“My art attempts to depict the smaller natural wonders that may be overlooked, rather than the large panoramic views of the area. I enjoy focusing on the smaller creatures like butterflies and other insects that are often overlooked and are to be found all around if you only take the time to investigate. A particular passion for birds can be found in many of my works.
“Using a variety of media, I adapt my style to suit as the image develops. On my watercolours, and other mixed-media paintings, I try to use the medium to emphasize the nature of my subjects. Watercolours can reflect the delicacy of the more ephemeral creatures we encounter, whilst gouache can be used to make a bolder statement.”
As well as exhibiting widely, Dennis’s work has been regularly shown at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art, where he won the ‘Birds Birds Birds’ award.
Visitors to the gallery can chat with Dennis at a ‘meet the artist’ session on Saturday 7 September from 2pm to 4pm.
The Inspired by… gallery at the The Moors National Park Centre, Danby, is open from 10am to 5pm daily in September and October. The gallery hosts temporary exhibitions of work by contemporary artists and craftworkers who draw their inspiration from the landscape, life, light and colour of the North York Moors.
For more information on the exhibition, go to: www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/inspiredby