Ross Penhall is known as the fireman artist and is widely recognized for his carefully composed and vibrant imagery depicting man’s intersection with the land. His stylized forms resonate with inviting spaces regardless of location and is surely responsible for his quick rise to fame in recent years. Ross has nurtured two careers for the past twenty years, one as a captain in the West Vancouver Fire Department, the other as a successful artist with an international reputation.

Ross Ellsworth Penhall was born June 16, 1959 in West Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents, Bev and Norma were both in the advertising business and provided “incredible support” for their budding young artist who displayed an early affinity for drawing and designing. He also loved playing in the wilderness “bush” of his Cypress Creek neighborhood. Ross attended West Bay elementary school and graduated from Hillside secondary school in 1978. He credits art teachers, Fred Duel and Dorte' Froslev for providing a solid art foundation and for guiding his skills for what would become a viable career path.

Following graduation he attended the studio art program at Capilano College and studied print making with internationally renown print maker Wayne Eastcott. Ross continued his education in extra-sessional studies at the Emily Carr College of Art, but has learned the most from tireless reading in the library and diligently working in his studio developinging his imagery and skills when he is not at the “hall”.

Ross’s interest in the outdoors, like many “North Shore” youngsters was shaped by skiing on the local mountains during winter months. His skiing excellence eventually led to working with the Ski Patrol at Whistler Mountain, learning fundamentals of search and rescue and finally evolving a career as a firefighter. His desire to be in a helping profession combined with the physical challenges of rescue remain close to his heart today. His dual careers as artist and firefighter provides a vital balance and unending excitement to his life.

Ross Penhall credits the work of artists A. J. Casson and the Group of Seven, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood and Wayne Thiebaud for inspiring his quest to explore the architectural space and light of the landscape. He has also been strongly influenced by the rhythmic shapes and colour in the work of Georgia O’Keefe. But, the strongest influence on his life and art has been living in the high contrast hillsides of Vancouver’s North Shore with its manicured boulevards and hedges combined with wild lush rainforest hideaways.

Ross is a disciplined and prolific artist who has exhibited annually since 1995. His work can be found in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the United States and in Canada including the Artists for Kids Gallery in North Vancouver. Ross currently maintains a studio in North Vancouver and lives with his wife Caron and their two teenage children in Horseshoe Bay, BC.