Jules Kesby
Artist Portfolio
Wildlife Artist
My name is Jules Kesby
I am a self-taught wildlife artist originally from Zimbabwe and now living in New Zealand. I started painting to see if I could achieve realism but it became far more about communicating emotions and feelings without clumsy words. I tell stories through my paintings while leaving enough mystery for the viewer to make it their own.
I was born in Zimbabwe and this shaped my inspiration and passion for wildlife. The moments in the bush that I have experienced seem to blur together, resulting in an emotion that Africa evokes in me – the energy of the place. When you have experienced Africa from a young age, it sticks with you, it speaks to you, and you carry that with you wherever you go.
Original Oil Paintings
A Curated Selection
Achievements
Curriculum Vitae
1999
EXHIBITION
Juxtaposition
Group Show
Innerspace Gallery
Harare, Zimbabwe
2000
EXHIBITION
Solo Exhibition
Innerspace Gallery
Harare, Zimbabwe
2001
COMMISSION
Shumba
Male Lion
Pastel
2002
EXHIBITION
Arts Exhibition
Annual Show
Waitakare Arts Council
Auckland, NZ
2003
COMMISSION
Mother and Son
Lioness and Cub
Pastel
2005
COMPETITION
3rd Prize
Royal Easter Show
Oil/Acrylic Open Category
Auckland, NZ
2021
EXHIBITION
Out of the Shadows
Solo Exhibition
Art by the Sea Gallery
Auckland, NZ
2025
EXHIBITION
Disruption
Solo Exhibition
Art by the Sea Gallery
Auckland, NZ
1999
EXHIBITION
Wildlife Show
Group Show
Innerspace Gallery
Harare, Zimbabwe
2001
EXHIBITION
Art of Zimbabwe
Group Show
Torquay
Devon, UK
2001
COMMISSION
Alpha Male
Wild Dog
Pastel
2002
COMMISSION
Dustbowl
Elephants
Large oil painting
2003
COMMISSION
Tess
Labrador
Pastel
2005
EXHIBITION
Carmel College
Art Exhibition
Carmel College
Auckland, NZ
2022
EXHIBITION
30th Anniversary
Group Exhibition
Art by the Sea Gallery
Auckland, NZ
1999
EXHIBITION
Art of Zimbabwe
Group Show
Zimbabwe House
London, UK
2001
EXHIBITION
Christmas Exhibition
Dragon Street Gallery
Petersfield, UK
2002
COMMISSION
Maternal Instincts
Mother Leopard & Cub
Pastel
2003
COMMISSION
Running from the Storm
Elephant
Oil painting
2004
EXHIBITION
Cambridge Society of
Arts Exhibition
Cambridge Society of Arts
Waikato, NZ
2013
COMPETITION
Highly Commended
Community Mural
Resene Mural Competition
Auckland, NZ
2024
EXHIBITION
Into the Light
Solo Exhibition
Art by the Sea Gallery
Auckland, NZ
2000
EXHIBITION
Art of Zimbabwe
Group Show
Zimbabwe House
London, UK
2001
COMMISSION
Warts and All
Warthog
Pastel
2002
COMMISSION
Reflections
Zebras
Pastel
2003
COMMISSION
Ugly Duckling
Giraffes
Pastel
2005
EXHIBITION
Art Attack
Group Show
Cambridge Society of Arts
Waikato, NZ
2018
EXHIBITION
Mcleans College
Art Exhibition
Mcleans College
Auckland, NZ
2024
COMMISSION
Snow Leopard
Oil painting
Art by the Sea Gallery
Original Drawings
A Curated Selection
Journey of a Painting
Journalling
I keep a notebook detailing the process—from the first idea through to the finished piece. This book is filled with questions, notes, and observations.
Oil on Linen
After roughly sketching the work-up again on a linen canvas, I begin to gradually build up very thin layers of oil. Colour is its own journey. The colours I search for begin quietly and transparently, and are emboldened by subsequent layers. Colour mixing requires attention. There are days where it can take me over half an hour to get my palette ready for the day’s painting, and it is never wasted time. What I sort out on the palette frees me up to paint more intuitively on the canvas.
Sketching
Before I even begin to think about colour, I sketch the full work in graphite on paper. I plan out the values, what to pull forward (focus on), what to push back. There is a lot of decision-making and problem-solving at this stage. This process allows me to get to know the animal, to build a relationship with my subject. It begins the conversation.
Finished Work