AN artist whose work is familiar to tea drinkers worldwide is showing exquisite wildlife paintings at the Inspired by… gallery, Danby, next month.

Andrew Hutchinson is best known for his highly-detailed portrayals of the natural world, taking inspiration from the unspoiled beauty of the North York Moors.

He has undertaken commissions for many major companies and organisations, including Marks & Spencer, the Automobile Association, Bacardi, Reader’s Digest, Penguin Books, Harper Collins, Land Rover, Barclays Bank, Sainsbury’s, Royal Canin and the New York Botanical Gardens. Andrew also produced a series of paintings for Taylors of Harrogate used to illustrate the packaging for Yorkshire Tea, including the iconic Dales cricket match image used in 2012.

Paintings on display at the Danby gallery in March and April will include his portrayals of much-loved moors wildlife such as the tortoiseshell butterfly, kestrel, goshawk, goldfinch and bullfinch, as well as familiar farm animals from the area.

There will be a special meet the artist event at the gallery on Saturday, from noon to 3pm.

Born in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, in 1961, Andrew Hutchinson completed an apprenticeship in joinery before taking a diploma course in graphics and illustration.

During a spell working as an archaeological illustrator he met his wife and in 1991 they headed for the Highlands of Scotland where he had always found inspiration in the dramatic and unspoilt beauty of the Cairngorms. A decade later, however, they and their daughter returned home to his beloved Yorkshire.

Andrew has exhibited his work among the world's top wildlife artists and each autumn stages a one-man show in his home town. He has been made an associate member of the prestigious Royal Society of Miniature Artists, Sculptors and Gravers after receiving awards at their 2014 and 2015 exhibitions at the Mall Galleries, London.

Andrew said: “It seems a long time since I first exhibited at Danby as a struggling young artist back in the early 1980s. My inspiration for this exhibition is my native Yorkshire countryside and the amazing wildlife that is all around us. I find I’m drawn to the Yorkshire forests and working as a volunteer warden studying adders gives me access to some fantastic and remote habitat.

“While I love to produce my own paintings in recent years I have had the honour of working on illustrations for the iconic Yorkshire Tea boxes for Taylors of Harrogate.”

The Inspired by… gallery at The Moors National Park Centre hosts changing exhibitions of work by artists who draw their inspiration from the landscape, life and colour of the North York Moors. Admission is free, and the gallery is open daily from 10.30am to 4pm, until March 24, then from March 25, daily 10am to 5pm.

For more information on the North York Moors National Park and forthcoming exhibitions and events, go to northyorkmoors.org.uk