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CREATIVE Charlie Richards is producing some animal magic with her artwork and has also helped raise funds for an animal sanctuary in the kingdom.
Her pet and wild beast portraits have already generated international recognition and she is constantly being commissioned to produce more of her black and white graphite gems.
Bahrain-born Brit Charlie, 26, who lives in Saar, said: “I make it a personal challenge to capture the character of the animal, or a snapshot into their soul.
“Funnily enough, I started out professionally by drawing portraits of people and actually had to learn by drawing my own face. This scared me into action, so I decided that animals were the way forward!
“I have always been a huge animal lover. I’ve owned horses, birds, hamsters, dogs and cats in the past and currently have a German Shepherd, called Zara.
“I always loved to draw and colour from a very early age. I used to draw anything that caught my eye. I thoroughly enjoyed art at school but kept it very much a hobby and a way to relax, much to the frustration of my art masters.
“I could always be found at Celebrations and Studio Ceramics. I am very much self-taught but had the tremendous fortune of learning from other outstanding artists along the way.
“I loved the artwork that other artists have drawn of my animals in the past and I wanted to be just as good so that I could do the same for others.”
Charlie uses Bristol board, a type of stiff, smooth cardboard often used as a drawing surface by artists, together with a vast range of pencils, to create graphite sketches.
“It is a very forgiving medium and helps achieve a much softer finish to the picture,” she explained. “I much prefer working in black and white as it helps create a sense of nostalgia and reminiscence. However, I am looking into broadening my portfolio and taking my creations down many other avenues, so watch this space!”
Charlie was born and raised in Bahrain – her mum, Pauline runs Delmon Boarding Kennels and dad, Tim, Delmon Pet Relocators. She is well-known to readers as GulfWeekly’s Book Club columnist and The Bookcase’s book fair & special events manager.
Her artwork has been displayed in various halls and she has also won many school art competitions, here in Bahrain during her time as a pupil at St Christopher’s School, and in England when she attended Embley Park in Romsey, Hampshire.
She went on to study at Hartpury College, in Gloucester, and received a degree – BSc Honours in Animal Behaviour and Welfare – from the University of the West of England, proving that she knows her subject matters inside and out!
Her work was displayed at a successful BSPCA auction at the British Embassy in Manama to help raise funds towards the running costs of its animal sanctuary.
Charlie said. “I have been very fortunate to draw lots of pets of whom I know personally, so, of course, each one I draw becomes my new favourite!
“I also have other pieces that are special to me for various different reasons as they mark certain stages of my life. I would say though my absolute favourite so far was Patience - a picture of a panda just sitting, contemplating life alongside a quote from Thomas Hardy … ‘Patience, that blending of moral courage with a physical timidity’.
“This piece was actually donated to the BSPCA silent auction alongside a few other little gems that went into the raffle.
“It was a silent auction and my piece was up against some really stunning pictures by local artists and photographers. There must have been a few panda fans amongst those who came along as my drawing I believe did very well.
“I try to support good causes and donate my prints to raffles whenever possible, including a couple of other BSPCA events and fundraising drives for the Comic Relief charity fund-raising initiative back in the UK. I have also previously donated to the British Airways’ Flying Start charity, with a percentage taken from each commission or print sold.
“At the moment I am mainly working on commissioned pieces but when I get a quiet moment to let my mind wander inspiration can really come from anywhere.
“I do love following fellow artists and photographers on social media to keep up-to-date with the latest craze. I also love following the works of author illustrators such as Beatrix Potter.
“My artwork has been very well received by the community and, of course, friends and family.
“Slots for commissioned pieces are constantly filling up, which is fabulous as I always love having a project on the go. My artwork is also supported around the world, including in the UK, US, New Zealand and Australia!”
Each assignment takes time, energy and patience. She says that she can lose herself for hours on a drawing but if she were ever to sit down with no distractions, one drawing could take up to six hours.
“I would, however, need to wonder away and come back to it to face any final touches with a fresh eye,” she added. “I do tend to spread the work over a one-to-two-week period depending on the urgency of the commission, as it can lead to intense concentration. I am a tad bit of a perfectionist.”
And there’s a lot more to come.
Charlie revealed: “I have many new projects on the horizon which will test many different mediums, techniques and equipment that have caught my eye and that I would really love to learn and expand into.
“These techniques are also new to the Bahrain art scene so I’m hoping it will achieve a good reaction.
“However, my flare doesn’t just lie with animals. I have a few other sketches in my portfolio.”
One features a pair of boxing gloves, as a tribute to ‘The World’s Greatest’, the late, great Muhammad Ali.
“I really appreciate the support and encouragement from all my friends and family, it really goes a long way and inspires me to keep creating,” she added.
Check out her current portfolio by visiting her Facebook page Charlie Richards Animal Artist.
