Press and awards
Charity and conservation
A huge part of my art business is donating a portion of my wildlife art sales to charity. This goes towards adopting endangered animals and conservation projects worldwide.
Pangolin adoption
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (November 2024 - present).
Orangutan adoption
World Wildlife Fund
(2023 - present).
Oak tree planted
Colour Pencil Shop/ The Future Forest Company collaboration (November 2024).
Press
BBC Radio Berkshire
Live interview with Kirsten O’Brien (16th April 2025, 10:12 am).
I join Kirsten O’Brien live on BBC Radio to discuss the drawing that inspired my pet portrait business, the weirdest animal I’ve drawn and to do a live drawing demo of Kirsten’s bearded dragon!
Reading Today
Article feature (April 2025).
Excerpt:
Reading-based artist Jennifer Starnes shortlisted for regional start-up business award
“A READING-BASED artist has been shortlisted for the regional final of an award series which champions start-up businesses.
Visual artist Jennifer Starnes creates visual art and specialises in hand-produced portraits of animals…”
UK News Group
Article feature (January 2025).
Excerpt:
Award winning artist captures the essence of pets and wildlife in stunning portraits
“Berkshire-based artist Jennifer Starnes is celebrating three years of being a full-time artist…”
ART ETC.
Magazine interview (October 2024).
Excerpt:
Animal life in Paint: Jennifer Starnes' Pet Portraits and Wildlife Art
“Growing up in Reading, Jennifer was often told by her art teacher that she had a natural artistic flair. The city of London itself also, though rather surprisingly given the nature themes within her works, continues to be an inspiration for her art...”
UK News Group
Article feature (March 2024).
Excerpt:
Award winning young artist raises money to save endangered animals
“Berkshire-based artist Jennifer Starnes uses her awe-inspiring artwork to raise money for endangered animals.”
Honey’s
‘The Alternative Dog’ magazine (Autumn 2023).
Excerpt:
New artist on the block
“Looking for someone to draw or paint your cat or dog? We are happy to recommend Jennifer Starnes, a young artist who has been recommended to us by several Honey’s customers.”
Awards
Regional finalist for South East Startup Awards 2025
(March 2025)
I’m proud to have been shortlisted to represent South-East England for Creative StartUp of the Year Award 2025’.
King’s Trust supported business
(August 2024)
I’m happy to announce that I’m officially a supported business of The King’s Trust after graduating from the Enterprise program.
Explorers against extinction
‘Sketch for Survival’
2023 - semi finalist
2022 - finalist
I’m honoured to support the ‘Sketch for Survival’ initiative for two consecutive years, being awarded a semi finalist and finalist out of 4,000+ global entries.
The initiative aims to raise awareness for endangered animals by auctioning artwork with the proceeds going to support conservation projects worldwide.
Exhibition
2022: ’Sketch for Survival’, London, UK.
My orangutan drawing ‘Hope’ was a finalist in the ‘sketch for survival’ collection and was on display throughout an exhibition tour across the UK.
The original drawing was then auctioned online, raising £380 for charity.
Theo Paphitis ‘Small Business Sunday’
2023 - winner
My art business was awarded as a ‘Small Business Sunday’ winner.
It was inspiring to meet Theo and receive my certificate at an event in Birmingham in February 2023.
BA Art and Psychology degree
University of Reading
(2020)