Our Artists
Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, Born Free Co-Founder & TrusteeArtists are well known for their generosity and these amazing and talented people are no exception. An image can say more than a hundred words – and here is the proof. Born Free is indeed fortunate to have such friends.
GARY HODGES
Gary Hodges is the UK’s best-selling pencil artist, having sold over 110,000 personally signed and numbered wildlife art prints from 135 different drawings.
As a great supporter and longstanding friend of Born Free, as well as many other wildlife and environmental organisations, Gary has raised over £1m for charity by auctioning his unique artworks at special fundraising events.
In 2016, Gary’s Heart and Soul exhibition, held at London’s Mall Galleries, was a sell-out event, raising over £133,000 at the opening night auction for Born Free and Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). In 2018, Gary’s Love and Protection exhibition, held in Gloucester, raised £44,000 for six wildlife charities, with £7,000 donated to Born Free.
In 2024, Gary held a major exhibition ‘Drawn from the Heart’ in honour of Born Free’s 40th anniversary. The five-day exhibition celebrated the beauty of wildlife and featured 165 glorious artworks – including original drawings and unique embellished prints. Special edition books for the event are still available to purchase on Gary’s website.
“Quite simply, I have been a devoted admirer of Gary’s work for over 25 years. His unique talent, and his profound sensitivity to the animals’ character and individuality, create images that are unbelievably beautiful and evocative.” – Dame Virginia McKenna, DBE
Visit Gary’s website READ ABOUT ‘DRAWN FROM THE HEART’
EMMA BOWRING
Wildlife painter Emma Bowring lives and works in Devon. She uses oil on canvas to produce exquisitely realistic portraits of wild animals and has donated several original works to be auctioned at Born Free events.
In 2019, she created a special commission to be sold at our Wind of Change gala dinner, with her group portrait of our Lions of Lyon selling for thousands. Emma became a member of Artists for Conservation in 2018 – a Canadian international non-profit organisation, which represents 500 wildlife artists from 30 countries, all committed to conservation.
“When one of my paintings hangs on someone’s wall; I want them to have the feeling that the animal is there in the room with them and to really connect with the individual and experience just a little of the beauty of nature; and therefore, maybe, want to protect it.” – Emma Bowring
CAROL BARRETT
Wildlife artist Carol Barrett has been captivated by wild animals for as long as she can remember and has been drawing and painting them professionally for over 30 years.
After training at Art College, she was inspired to travel to Africa to specialise in painting wild animals in their natural habitats. She has visited several African countries, gathering material for her work, spending as much time as possible with the local guides out in the bush, and savouring every second in the presence of the magnificent wildlife. Through her wildlife painting, she aims to pay homage to the wonders of the natural world and attempts to capture their magnificence and bonds of sentience.
Carol generously donated 100% of the sale price of seven original paintings of big cats to Born Free.
“I am truly honoured that Born Free has agreed to highlight my painting, as the charity has achieved such wonderful longstanding conservation work in many countries all over the world and both Co-Founders, Will Travers OBE and Virginia McKenna DBE have blazed a trail and provided hope for the future.” – Carol Barrett
JANE BRISTOWE
An exhibitor at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and short-listed for Wildlife Artist of the Year, Jane combines her clear and distinct use of line with a passion for colour.
Her appealing style has established Bristowe as a leading exponent of animal images. Her innovative linocuts display her inventive artistic imagination in capturing the simple appearances and character of a stunning array of animals and have placed her among the best of this genre currently working today.
Collaboration with wildlife and conservation charities has become key to Jane’s work. She worked with author Florina Falce to produce the book Dear Elephant which was endorsed by Dame Virginia McKenna. Her designs have been chosen to feature on an exclusive new range of products in the Born Free Shop, and we are delighted to be collaborating with her on such a beautiful range, proceeds of which will support our vital work to keep wildlife in the wild.
“I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Born Free. Your purchase will help conservationists in their essential work to keep wildlife in the wild where it belongs.” – Jane Bristowe
JANE BRISTOWE SHOP RANGE Visit Jane’s website