TESTIMONIALS |
"I have long admired Charlie’s work as an equine artist and
sculptor but it wasn’t until he unveiled his one third sized
portrait of Derby winner Motivator that I realised that here
was an artist with a talent that was truly unique. I look at
that painting every day at home and I am still in awe of the
way that Charlie captured the character and physical
presence of the horse. The unveiling of the two bronzes of
our world champion, Harbinger, proved that Charlie is also a
supremely gifted sculptor and one who has a special eye for
the confirmation and movement of the thoroughbred. "
The Hon. Harry Herbert
"Charlie spent a considerable amount of time observing Yeats
at Coolmore and we feel his bronze really captures the
horse’s character and his wonderful presence. We couldn’t
possibly have been happier with the piece – it is truly
magnificent."
John and Sue Magnier
"As I look critically at thousands of horses every year, my
eye is fairly well tuned when it comes to looking at the
‘perfect athlete’. For someone to actually create that
absolute picture in art form to the detail it requires, is a
unique and extraordinary talent. A margin here, a margin
there makes the difference between someone who is simply an
artist to someone who is different from the rest. Having
watched Charlie unfold his talents over the last few years
makes me think his work will be admired and coveted for
generations."
John. F.R Warren Racing
manager to Her Majesty The Queen
|
BIOGRAPHY |
My inspiration is
the horse. More specifically, the thoroughbred. In particular,
the difference in attitude, character and physicality that sets
the champion racehorse apart. The thoroughbred horse is a truly
breath-taking sight. Powerful yet graceful, athletic, balanced,
fit, fast, stunningly beautiful and yet oblivious to the impact
that this mesmerizing combination can have on the observer, the
thoroughbred could maintain my interest in the horse as a
subject for a lifetime. However, it is in searching for the
components that make a champion a champion that I find myself
drawn into each subject with a fresh excitement. Every champion
horse has something unique or, more likely, a unique combination
of attributes that will set it apart from the herd. It is the
process of trying to establish what these are, and attempting to
capture them, that I find so alluring.
My ambition with
every work is to sculpt the character, the presence, the
movement and the likeness of the horse so that that fleeting
spark of excitement, passion and beauty can endure. How has the
breed evolved in the last 300 years? How interesting would it be
to be able to stand Eclipse next to Shergar? Sculpting a
portrait of a great horse can be an accurate historical record
of the bloodline as well as a work of art. To capture the life,
the energy and the willingness of spirit in clay and bronze is a
huge, never-ending challenge to which I am becoming increasingly
addicted. I hope that my involvement with these amazing animals
and in this thrilling sport continues for many years to come.
EDUCATION |
Edinburgh College of Art - 2002/03 |
Charles Cecil Studios - 2003/05 |
Lavender Hill Studios - July 2005 |
Nicolas Beer - April 2007 |
