THE country’s top seller of original art, Rozanne Bell, is visiting a new exhibition of her latest paintings in Brighouse today.

The Harrison Lord Gallery in the town is featuring her vibrant artwork in an exhibition which runs until the end of May.

On her first visit to Yorkshire, the Zimbabwe-born artist, who is now based in Dorset, will view the exhibition which features more than 50 new works, all displaying her characteristically colourful and quirky style.

Gallery owner Steven Lord said: “It’s very exciting to welcome such a famous artist to the gallery. Rozanne Bell’s style of painting is so uplifting and colourful it’s no surprise that she is so hugely popular.”

Rozanne Bell has become one of the UK’s most loved artists and her artwork depicts wildflowers, sheep-farming villages and coastlines, using vibrant colours and the her trademark resin and metallic embellishments.

Born in the Southern African country in 1962, Rozanne’s early work was inspired by Zimbabwe’s natural beauty and culture. When Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth in 2002, Rozanne chose to settle in England and the Dorset coast and the coves and harbours of Cornwall have had a great influence on her work.

Having had no formal art schooling, she has cultivated her natural talent and uses a variety of mixed media. The end result is a depth of colour and texture.

The artist herself added: “Ever since I first picked up a paintbrush with my mother as a little girl, the compulsion to paint has dominated my life. I know that the extraordinary colours, light and contrasts of Zimbabwe where I grew up are to blame.

“Art became and has ever been my friend, supporting my children and me throughout.”

She describes one of her greatest achievements as the charity auction of a rocking horse she painted at Sotheby’s in London alongside works by celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Maureen Lipman and Joanna Lumley, in aid of the charity CHIVA Africa which is working in Africa to stop the spread of HIV in children and teenagers.

A meet-the-artist session takes place from noon today, and the exhibition continues until the end of May. It is free to enter.

See harrisonlord.co.uk or call 01484 722462 for more details.