KARREL CHRISTOPHER

Greetings and welcome to my albums of ANIMAL paintings (please be sure to visit the HORSES album). I hope you will join me in my journey of discovery, connection and evolution with the fascinating beings we share this Earth with.  Each day, I learn more about them and endeavor to share the loving respect and admiration I feel for them. As a child I remember adults telling me that I was “artistic” and an “animal lover”. These labels became a part of my identity (though I did not really comprehend what they meant until many years later).

I knew I felt content and joyous in the presence of nature and animals.  And expressing those feelings through creative activities seemed so natural.  Didn’t everyone feel and act that way? Soon I realized that people played many different roles.  The more I observed of the world, the more I started to find comfort in my labels and wanted to fulfill their potential. I had always admired animals. I had been vegetarian for 30 years, worked with a veterinarian and animal communicator, was a caretaker, animal photographer and animal painter . But my experiences had been limited to the usual companion animals and zoo exhibits.

In 2010, my life was jolted by major changes and relocation but with it came some wonderful gifts.  In my new situation, I have had the privilege of getting to know “farm animals”. It was life-changing for me – how could I have not always lived amongst them, in sanctuary, or in the wild?  Discovering their unique beauty, personalities and character made me feel so completely at home, so peaceful and more inspired than ever. I have been profoundly moved by their genuine enthusiasm, tenderness, love and affection.  They have taught me much about respect, courage and strength.  My curiosity and awareness about them grew, urging me to face and more fully consider their experiences and to change my choices and habits.

It was in 2012 that I became ethical VEGAN.  Enthusiastically I embraced the role of sharing my paintings, photography and graphic art skills to advocate for animals.  All sentient beings deserve safety, kindness and justice.  With my new label, I had now graduated into genuinely embodying the true meaning of “animal lover”.  This was also a major turning point in my creative path.  My paintings seemed to quickly evolve as I more deeply connected with my inspiration. Creations were not only about how animals looked; it was now about how they felt, and what they had to say.  Being a “vegan artist” is more than choosing cruelty-free supplies, eating plants and painting animals and nature. For me, it is about expressing the love I feel for life. 

Honoring and celebrating my relationships with my Earth Family.  Creating art that communicates on a heart level – hopefully inspiring others to see, know and consider animals in new loving ways - building new traditions based on respect, kindness and compassion.  I feel like an exciting journey has just begun and I may need several lifetimes to portray all my animal friends.  I hope you will feel inspired too!