Well-known local artist Alan Ross has always enjoyed making things but when he got fed up with boomarangs and kites his wife paid for him to study welding.

Little could they have known when he took those first few lessons in night school eleven years ago that a new hobby would become a profession.

Alan is an easily recognisable figure in Ross, especially when he is riding his hand built bicycle. However his fame is spreading beyond this small market town. He has been invited to take part in several prestigious exhibitions, including a current showcase in Tewkesbury.

Sculpture in The Garden at Showborough House opened on April 1st and is the third Affordable Art exhibition to be held at this location.

Alan was invited to take part last year when his piece won the 'People's Choice' with a fish constructed from mild steel.

Alan started off making small creatures and often used pieces of metal he had such as bicycle parts. His very first creation is still in pride of place in his workshop where it reminds him of how far he has come since those early days.

Alan like to work on commissions and recently completed his largest ever work, a group of ants which were installed at Longleat.

Four years ago his garage became too small to work in and he set off, on his bike, to find a farm or somewhere where he could set up a workshop. This proved more difficult that he thought but in 2008 he visited Caplor Farm at Fownhope and was delighted when the owner agreed to build and rent him a workshop.

Last year Alan opened his workshop to visitors as part of the Herefordshire Art week and the picture shows visitors relaxing in the sun as they examined his work.

A recent development is teaching sculpture making workshops. Alan is aware that a lot of blacksmiths and artists do not consider his work favourably.

He said: "They tell me I use the wrong techniques." But while people want to buy his work and he still gets tremendous satisfaction from the creative process he will continue.

Alan works in a style described as 'Direct Metal Sculpture in which the metal is mainly used as it is found. It is cold bent by hand rather than being forged into shape using heat, this allows a more flexible approach to making sculpture as well as allowing for a much lighter look and feel than typically found in forged work.

Alan does not use paint on his work as he prefers the natural effects created by the chemical process of weathering. Also he feels that paint effects would deteriorate and need maintenance.

Alan is planning to exhibit in Coventry and at Painswick Rococco Gardens in August and he will take part in Hereford Art Week in September.

For more information about Alan's work or to see where his work is on display visit Alan's website at wwwartinsteel.co.uk