An Artist's Journey in Words and Pictures

The Lion

The Lion was finished earlier this year and posted on my website. I finally got around to blogging about him. (Apologies, but no excuses. Life just happens.) Lions have been a favorite subject of mine for years. I remember the moment when the passion first struck. We had taken the boys to the Omaha Zoo and stopped to see the Big Cats exhibit. While the rest of the animals were snoozing in the afternoon sun, this incredible creature sauntered into the building and gazed through the glass at the passing visitors, as if he were a king viewing his subjects.  For a brief instant his eyes met mine, then he dismissed me as insignificant and moved on.  But I never forgot him and have been painting him off and on for years.  Like Aslan in the Narnia Chronicles and the Lion of Judah that he represents, the lion has become a to me a symbol of strength and protection, but unlike the zoo lion, He knows my name. 

The reference photo for this painting is courtesy of photographer, Don Barrick, and used by permission.  I was captivated by the animal’s wild mane and eyes that were fierce yet not savage. Not a tame lion but the perfect champion defender should you need one. I immediately knew that this creature had to be an oil painting. It was done in a loose, expressive style, somewhere between Realism and Impressionism, my usual landing site. 

The Infrequent Blogger...should most likely  be the new title for my blog, but no doubt that has already been taken   While I am at it though,  my studio ought to  be renamed as well. “The Occasionally Creative Studio.” has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? I have slowed down admittedly, but I’m still here, still painting. and really loving it again, enjoying both the process and the journey, just as I did when this whole thing began. Not so concerned with volume or deadlines, I am trying to eliminate the stress and just create. It is my soul song. The time may come for me to retire altogether, but it isn’t just yet.  Actually I did try to quit once, but it didn’t last.  What else would I do? Too late to reinvent myself! Besides, the next masterpiece may be just around the corner.