Richard Moore

For nearly five decades, Richard Moore has been capturing the beauty of nature and wildlife through his art. Working across oils, watercolour, gouache, and acrylics, he has found acrylic to be best suited to his signature realistic style. His use of textured backgrounds brings a dynamic sense of movement to his paintings, making them feel alive. Alongside his paintings, Richard has also created intricate bronze sculptures, with his works held in private collections across New Zealand and around the world.

While Richard’s artistic repertoire spans multiple subjects and mediums, his deep passion for wildlife and the natural world has been a constant source of inspiration. His technical skill and versatility allow him to adapt seamlessly to different artistic challenges. Born in Warkworth in 1961, Richard began his professional career at just 16 on Auckland’s North Shore. Early on, he gained recognition primarily through word of mouth, but his work has also been represented by esteemed galleries such as John Leech Gallery, Parnell Art Gallery, Marina Gallery, and Woodards Gallery.

A move to Kerikeri with his late wife, Diana, and their two daughters saw Richard branch into teaching. What began as voluntary work in a local school quickly grew into a thriving art education practice, with over 120 students within weeks—80 through private groups and the rest via a private school. His talents extended beyond the canvas, attracting companies seeking bespoke designs, figurines, and home décor.

Since relocating to Maungaturoto in 2006, Richard has refocused on his own artwork, dedicating time to painting and sculpture for the New Zealand market. Alongside Diana, he also led painting workshops and drawing classes in Kerikeri, Whangārei, and Auckland, as well as private art holidays to Tahiti, Fiji, and Rarotonga until 2021. Now, he is taking a step back from teaching to prioritise his own artistic pursuits and another passion—garden design. His own garden has been featured in NZ House & Garden and the New Zealand Gardens to Visit book. Richard’s artistic contributions extend to the corporate world, having designed and created awards, corporate gifts, and illustrations for clients such as Television New Zealand, Fletcher Challenge, Fisher & Paykel, and Honda NZ. His craftsmanship can also be seen in Guardian Assurance’s award trophies and various artists’ impressions for council approvals.