Passionate Animal Portrait Artist at Work

Charles Hooren - animal portrait artist holding a canvas painting of a horse

Being called a 'talented artist' by many wonderful people has encouraged me to try and make a living in the art world. Thank you!

I find the joy of painting animals and capturing their emotions as if they are speaking to me is what fuels my passion.

After gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design & Communication, I began working as a Graphic Designer and self-taught Web Designer. For over 20 years, I worked full-time in the design industry while pursuing other interests in my spare time. During that period, I didn’t have the opportunity to create my own art. As the job market later became increasingly difficult, I started looking for a new career that would be both challenging and fulfilling. It wasn’t until early 2023, when my friend’s mother kindly brought me some art materials, that I rediscovered my passion and talent for painting. Since then, I’ve been gradually making progress in my rekindled interest in art.

Diagnosed at a very young age with two types of aphasia, which impaired my speech and ability to understand spoken language, I found both art therapy and being fascinated with paintings and drawings in any shape or form helped me with communicating and expressing my feelings through art. I feel fortunate that this has allowed me to go on and develop my creative skills in art and design.

One day each week, I volunteer as an animal husbandry at the Wildlife Aid Foundation, an amazing British wildlife charity based in Leatherhead, Surrey, that specialises in rescuing and releasing sick or injured wild animals. I’m fortunate to work with a fantastic group of volunteers, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I'm playing a part in ensuring the animals are being well looked after and helping with nursing them back to full health.

A big thank you to animals for making our lives more interesting... and allowing me to do some portrait paintings of them!