Hercule Van Wolfwinkle: ‘Rubbish’ pet artist raises £300,000 for charity

A pet-portrait artist has raised greater than £300,000 for charity along with his self-confessed “garbage” photos.

Phil Heckels, from Worthing, West Sussex, started working underneath the alias Hercule Van Wolfwinkle in 2020.

Such is the success of his paintings, Mr Heckels has given up his job in business property and is now a full-time artist and fundraiser.

He stated he now will get “advised off by my supporters for calling my work garbage”.

Mr Heckels has had two books of his pet portraits revealed, and has received an award from the prime minster for his fundraising.

in 2020 he drew his canine and put it on Facebook, providing paid-for commissions as a joke, however real requests flooded in.

His trademark wonky legs and crooked eyes have proved actually standard with pet homeowners.

All of the pet portraits he attracts are free and uploaded to his social media pages in return for a donation to one among his two chosen charities: Turning Tides, a homelessness charity, and StreetVet.

Mr Heckels now has 270,000 followers on Facebook.

He stated: “It bought to the purpose the place I used to be working 18-hour days with my full-time job and artwork initiatives.

“Despite an enormous drop in family earnings one thing needed to give.

“I do it as a result of I understand how a lot assist I get. None of this was deliberate. And I understand how far more I’ve to do.”

Mr Heckels now generates an earnings by promoting artworks which aren’t pet portraits, and merchandise in addition to public talking.

Animal lover and TV presenter, Paul O’Grady, who died in March, was a fan of Mr Heckels’ work in addition to being an envoy for StreetVet.

Mr Heckels stated: “He beloved the portrait I did of his dogs. He framed it and put it in his hallway.”

So what are his aspirations for the longer term?

“I need to strive every thing I can to maintain the undertaking going so long as folks assist it.

“I like doing it. I like the group of people that comply with what I do and assist it.

“And I like inspiring others and supporting the charities I assist.”

In May Mr Heckels raised £10,000 by embarking on a marathon from Brighton to Worthing and again, stopping each mile to attract a pet portrait.

Ruth Poyner, from Turning Tides, stated: “We proceed to be blown away by Hercule’s fundraising efforts.

“His limitless creativity and one-of-a-kind witticisms have ensured his followers proceed to be uniquely amused each day.

“Our gratitude is immeasurable.”