Ark in Art

Before ArkinArt, there was The Twinkle Projects, a name inspired by the twinkle I saw in the eyes of the animals who shared my life. That spark of wonder found its way into my artwork, and through it I was fortunate to connect with more than 1,800 people who loved their companions as deeply as I loved mine.

At the time, I thought the artwork was about capturing that wonder.

Years later, a quiet period of reflection invited me to turn the pages of my life backward and ask a simple question: How did I get here? As I followed that thread, I began to notice a pattern that had quietly shaped many of the most important decisions in my life.

For years, I believed I was choosing my own path. Yet the deeper I looked, the more I realized my choices were being guided by something beyond preference or desire. Again and again, I found myself making room for animals in my life, listening to them, learning from them, and allowing their stories to shape my own.

It was not a desire to care for vulnerable beings that guided me, but a growing sense of conscience. A quiet knowing that animals should not become victims of human misalignment, and that their lives, stories, and wellbeing deserve our respect, stewardship, and care.

The more clearly I saw this, the more impossible it became to ignore.

The first of these storytellers was a lop-eared rabbit named Sandra. Through caring for her during some of the most challenging periods of my life, I began to discover both my strengths and my shortcomings. She taught me patience, responsibility, compassion, and the quiet kind of love that asks for little but gives so much in return. She was one of the first animals to help me understand that the stories worth listening to are often the ones spoken without words.

As the years passed, more storytellers arrived. Each carried their own lessons, perspectives, and quiet wisdom. Together, they gradually revealed a vision that had been present all along.

One realization continued returning to me: the animals never left the Garden of Eden. It is we who wandered away. Through their trust, presence, and capacity to love without condition, they continue to invite us back. In a world that often moves too quickly, they remind us how to pay attention, how to care, and how to live with greater humility toward the lives around us.

What strikes me now is that this realization also explains the transition from The Twinkle Projects to ArkinArt.

The Twinkle Projects was born from wonder.

ArkinArt was born from conscience.

Wonder was the spark.

Conscience became the compass.

Art became the bridge.

Through portraiture, art, and storytelling, I found a way to honour the animals who have shaped my life while sharing the wonder they continue to inspire in me. Every project helps support the animals who share my life and the growing sanctuary they call home.

The animals are the true storytellers behind this work. I simply serve as the medium, translating their voices into tangible art and stories to be shared with the world.

Most importantly, I hope their stories continue to inspire a gentler, more compassionate, and more empathetic relationship with all living beings.

With gratitude,
Julie
Founder, ArkinArt