Visual artist Charles Ng'eno also known as Chalikin Arts, sees wildlife as more than a subject for his painting. His work represents a deep appreciation for nature's beauty and his commitment to wildlife conservation for the future generation to experience and appreciate the animals as they are today.
When choosing an animal to paint, he is drawn to its natural habitat, behaviour, visual form or texture. Among the different species he has painted, elephants hold a special place.
"I am particularly an elephant lover. I have done more elephants artworks than any other animal. To me, they symbolise mighty, wisdom, and family loyalty. I also paint lions and they symbolise power, strength and teamwork," he says.
His process begins with selecting the subject before deciding on the surface and medium. Depending on the work, he may use canvas, board, paper or a wall, followed by oil, watercolour, acrylic, pastels, pencils or charcoal.
He prepares the surface with a protective primer, then sketches the subject and proceeds to add more details until the artwork is complete. After the work has dried, he may apply a thin layer of clear varnish, depending on the medium and surface.
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Ng’eno works across several mediums, including oil paint, acrylic, watercolour, graphite and charcoal. His choice is influenced partly by the surface and the effect he wants to achieve.
For paintings on canvas, wooden boards, metal or walls, he prefers oil paints, acrylics or watercolours. For drawings on paper or boards, he uses pencils, charcoal, ink and pastels. He also considers how he wants the texture and environment of the subject to be experienced by the viewer.
Making a living as a visual artist in Kenya, however, comes with challenges. Ng’eno points to the cost of art materials, exhibition spaces, marketing and finding clients.
"Social media has provided artists with another way to showcase and market their work, while exposure through television programmes, newspapers and magazines has also helped me reach audiences," he says.
His work has attracted collectors in Kenya and internationally, with his paintings reaching clients in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Denmark.
Ng’eno believes that artists can also contribute to wildlife conservation by using their work to give wildlife a voice and create emotional connections between people and the natural world. He wants his paintings to encourage people to celebrate Kenya’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes.
“Art can play an important role in conservation by creating emotional connections between people and the animals and environments that need protection,” he says.
Artists can also contribute directly by donating part of their art proceeds to conservation initiatives, he adds.
Ng’eno hopes to expand the range of wildlife he explores through his work. He is interested in painting buffaloes, wild dogs, antelopes, hippopotamuses and different bird species.
He also wants to use his art to engage with wider environmental concerns, such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and deforestation.
At present, Ng’eno is working on commissioned pieces for clients. Though he is not currently preparing for an exhibition, he hopes to hold a solo exhibition in the future.
His long-term vision are establishing a modern art studio and encouraging younger generations to view art as a viable career like any other profession. He also hopes to use his work to promote awareness of nature conservation.