Winner Best Oil Painting, Mt View Art Show 2023.
This is Big Daddy, old warrior lion and father of many cubs.
While in Botswana in Moremi Reserve, I saw this lion nearly every morning and he was so amiable with his cubs, unlike some lions. I first painted him a few years ago with one of his cubs, who had been jumping all over him, and called it 'Big Daddy and Me'. The painting won an award. Here he is on his own, just relaxing in the sun.
I wanted to capture the warm, golden light on the front of his face, contrasted with the pale, cool shadows on the side. I chose to do a portrait-style background to really set off the contrast and make him stand out. It took many layers of oil, delicate fur work and glazing to achieve the desired effect, and make him become alive.
He is painted on superfine, deep-edged canvas and is ready to hang in a beautiful, natural wood box frame.
Gamvar satin varnish has been applied.
Big Daddy
Artwork Details
Medium | Oil, Canvas, Framed by Artist |
Dimensions | 25.6in (W) x 19.5in (H) x 2.2in (D) |
19,639 Customer Reviews |
Return it for free within 7 days
Artwork Description
Artist Bio
The spirit and energy of wild animals is something I aim to express in my work, and I am happy with a piece when it has the right feeling.
I have been painting for about 25 years, and I both taught myself and found artists who inspired me and took classes with them. To help me grow as a wildlife artist, and give something back to the animals, I also immersed myself in the animals' worlds through conservation wildlife volunteering in Africa. I focus on translating some of these experiences into my paintings, to get that feeling of connection and remembrance that a viewer can also respond to.
Now my work has won many awards. My paintings have been published in the book, 'Luminous Colour - Showcasing Australian Pastel Artists', by Linda Hibbs, and 'African Legend - White Lions and Leopards', by Michelle Stewart.
Inspired by the Africa trips, I studied zoology at La Trobe University and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in zoology with a genetics minor, and I worked at a zoo for 6 years.
I exhibit regularly in Melbourne and teach classes and workshops.
If you would like to commission a unique artwork tailored to your vision, please send me a message.