Charlie Mackesy, a British artist and author, began as a cartoonist for The Spectator and later illustrated for Oxford University Press.
Collaborating with figures like Richard Curtis and Nelson Mandela, he’s particularly noted for “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” which held a record on the Sunday Times Bestsellers List and was distinguished by Waterstones, Barnes and Noble and the British Book Awards.
His book inspired an Oscar-winning animated short film in 2023. Mackesy’s artwork, ranging from bronzes to paintings, is showcased globally in diverse settings, from London streets to New York galleries.
He was acknowledged at the GQ Men of the Year Awards and the British Book Awards.
Born in Northumberland, Mackesy attended multiple institutions, including Radley College.
With familial connections to Major General Pierse Joseph Mackesy and writer Leonora Mackesy, Charlie lived in various countries and currently resides in the UK.
He actively participates in charitable activities in Zambia and London.
I have listed below some of the top quotes by Charlie Mackesy.
Best Charlie Mackesy Quotes
Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Love doesn’t need you to be extraordinary. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
If at first you don’t succeed, have some cake. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Home isn’t always a place is it? ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Sometimes I think you believe in me more than I do,” said the boy
“You’ll catch up,” said the horse. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
I wonder if there is a school of unlearning. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Is your glass half empty or half full?” asked the mole.
“I think I’m grateful to have a glass,” said the boy. ~ Charlie Mackesy
Sometimes all you hear about is hate, but there is more love in this world than you could possibly imagine. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
I need pictures. They are like islands, places to get to in a sea of words. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Top Charlie Mackesy Quotes
What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Kind”, said the boy. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy.
‘Help,’ said the horse.
‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up. ~ Charlie Mackesy
Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Most of the old moles I know wish they had listened less to their fears and more to their dreams. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
We don’t know about tomorrow, all we need to know is that we love each other. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Famous Charlie Mackesy Quotes
Isn’t it odd. We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside ~ Charlie Mackesy.
One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
We often wait for kindness…but being kind to yourself can start now. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
What do you think is the biggest waste of time?”
“Comparing yourself to others”, said the mole. ~ Charlie Mackesy
Do you have any other advice?” asked the boy.
“Don’t measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated,” said the horse. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
When the big things feel out of control, focus on what you love right under your nose. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
The greatest illusion,” said the mole, “is that life should be perfect. ~ Charlie Mackesy
Don’t measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
This storm will pass. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Popular Charlie Mackesy Quotes
Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Nothing beats kindness,’ said the horse. ‘It sits quietly beyond all things. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Often the hardest person to forgive is yourself. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
Just take this step…
The horizon will look after itself. ~ Charlie Mackesy.
So these were the 30 top Charlie Mackesy quotes on love, strength and friendship.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Dolores Huerta quotes and Adrian Rogers quotes.
Short Biography of Charlie Mackesy
Charlie Mackesy, once a cartoonist for The Spectator and a book illustrator for Oxford University Press, is known for his impactful art and writings.
His book, acclaimed and translated into over 40 languages, has won major awards from Waterstones and Barnes and Noble in 2019.
| Full Name | Charles Piers Mackesy |
| Born | December 11, 1962 (age 61 years), Northumberland, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Author, painter |
| Notable work | The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, And The Horse |
| Education | Queen Elizabeth High School |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animated) |
Charlie’s creations have touched many, appearing in various public and private spaces, and even raising funds for charitable causes.
Besides his artistic endeavors, he co-runs Mama Buci, a social enterprise in Zambia, and lives with his dog Barney between Brixton and Suffolk.
Quick Facts about Charlie Mackesy
- Charles Piers Mackesy is a British artist, author, and illustrator.
- He created “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.”
- Mackesy’s career began as a cartoonist for The Spectator.
- He’s illustrated books for Oxford University Press.
- Worked with Richard Curtis for Love Actually to support Comic Relief.
- Contributed to Nelson Mandela’s Unity Series.
- You can find his bronzes in London public spaces, like Highgate Cemetery.
- His art has been displayed in galleries in London and New York.
- Mackesy’s work is featured in various public spaces worldwide.
- “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” spent over 100 weeks in the Sunday Times Bestsellers List top ten.
- The book was the Waterstones and Barnes & Noble Book of the Year 2019.
- It was shortlisted for the British Book Awards in 2020.
- Mackesy won the 2020 Nielsen Bestseller Awards and the book achieved Platinum status.
- He was named Maddox Gallery Artist and Illustrator of the Year at the GQ and British Book Awards.
- Co-directed and co-wrote an animated short film based on his book.
- Won an Oscar for Animated Short Film in 2023.
- The BBC made a documentary about him, his book, and the film in 2022.
- Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2024.
- Grew up in Northumberland and briefly attended university.
- Lives between London and Suffolk, runs a honey social enterprise in Zambia, and supports a homeless project in London.
Top Questions about Charlie Mackesy
A: Mackesy finds inspiration in conversations over a warm drink. A chat with his friend Bear Grylls led to a famous drawing about bravery featuring a boy and a horse discussing the bravest thing the horse has ever said.
A: No, Mackesy didn’t formally study art. He kept himself busy working as a cartoonist for the Spectator, an illustrator for Oxford University Press, creating ads for newspapers, and designing posters. His first art show was in a pub back in 1984.
A: Charles Piers Mackesy is a British artist, illustrator, and author famous for his book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.”
A: Early in his career, Mackesy worked as a cartoonist for The Spectator and later as a book illustrator for Oxford University Press.
A: Yes, Mackesy collaborated with Richard Curtis on the set of “Love Actually” to create drawings for a Comic Relief auction.
A: His artwork is displayed in various public spaces and has been featured in books, galleries, and even on street lamp posts and in hospitals, among other places.
A: Mackesy’s dog is a longhaired miniature dachshund named Barney. Barney was looked after by Mackesy’s friend Luisa while Mackesy attended the Oscars, marking his first airplane trip in 18 years.
A: Mackesy is known for his book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” a children’s picture book celebrated for its hand-drawn illustrations that capture various emotions through its four main characters.
A: The book spent over 100 weeks in the Sunday Times Bestsellers List top ten, becoming the longest Sunday Times Hardback Number One of all time.
A: In 2024, Mackesy was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to art and literature.
A: Mackesy co-runs Mama Buci, a honey social enterprise in Zambia, and has been involved in running a homeless project in London.
