In pictures: Artwork of Matt Ryder

The Black Series, as it is called, is Matt Ryder’s newest project, begun last year after the artist read a book by Nick Brandt about the plight of elephants in Africa. Jaime Puebla / The National

But Matt Ryder’s fascination with animals, particularly large and powerful ones, began six years ago when he visited Kenya and saw them in the wild. “I’ve always loved wildlife but that trip changed the way I looked at things,” he says. “I began to paint with a lot more emotion.” Courtesy Matt Ryder

The British artist, who first moved to Dubai in 2005 to work in recruitment, has always had a skill for realistic rendering but back then he only thought of it as a hobby. Jaime Puebla / The National Newspaper

When he returned to Dubai in 2012, Matt Ryder quickly discovered that the art scene had dramatically improved in the short time he had been away and while he continued to pursue work as a caricaturist, he soon found himself being drawn more and more to fine art. Courtesy Matt Ryder

Notably, Matt Ryder’s work is part of a 140-metre mural that is painted on the wall of the Dubai Ladies Club on Jumeirah Beach Road. Ryder was one of nine artists commissioned to paint the wall in what is now one of the most striking landscapes of the city. Courtesy Matt Ryder

Matt Ryder began The Black Series, which is made with acrylic paint continually sprayed with water to achieve the effect of the animal emerging from or disappearing into the canvas. Jaime Puebla / The National Newspaper

“I think there is a place for aesthetic paintings,” he says reflecting on his work. “I am painting for the beauty of it and the more I paint, the more I’m sure of that.” Jaime Puebla / The National Newspaper

Matt Ryder is a British painter whose passion for wildlife is bringing him success with his artwork.