Big Cats
Ideally, I would love to paint big cats in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, there are now more lions and tigers in captivity than exist in the wild: Some in zoos and accredited sanctuaries, but most held in people’s homes, back yards and sham zoos. Habitat loss, as well as poaching and body-part harvesting, have decimated their numbers. These beautiful animals have been dethroned.
In my art, I try to restore the animal’s dignity, while bringing awareness to the organizations that monitor and intervene to stop suffering and abuse.
According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare: “In the United States, there are as many as 10,000 big cats in captivity. These animals are at risk for abuse and often live in terrible conditions: In private hands, menageries masquerading as rescue sanctuaries and unqualified roadside zoos operating with little oversight or accountability.”
BIG CATS
Deux lions de Lyon
Oil on Canvas. 30 x 30
Original donated to Born Free for auction.
These two lions were discovered, abused in a cramped apartment in Lyon France. They were rescued and transferred to Lion’s Rock in South Africa by the Born Free Foundation where they now enjoy sunshine and a care-free life.
As a francophone, I couldn’t resist playing with the word Lyon to create the title of this painting.
Link to the heart-warming story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M5VNqTF6f4
See minute 3:10 for the image that inspired this painting.
Lionne lyonnaise à l’aise
Oil on canvas 30 x 40 in Original donated to The Born Free Foundation for auction.
Another lion rescued from the same situation in Lyon and enjoying her new home at Lion’s Rock thanks to Born Free. Though she is relaxing in the sunshine, her watchful eye reminds us that she is not to be taken lightly.
Again, the French title reflects this lioness’ French connection.
Here is the video that updates us on how the lions of Lyon are now enjoying their new home.
At minute 2:08, you can see the playful pose that lead to this painting.
King, le roi des lions de Lyon
Oil on canvas 24 x 36 in Original donated to
The Born Free Foundation for auction.
Thanks again to Born Free, King is now living in a happily with his female companion and enjoying his life at Lion’s Rock in South Africa.
Here is the video that updates us on how the lions of Lyon are now enjoying their new home.
See minute 1:29 for the inspiration for this painting of King.
Kandaka
Oil on Canvas. 22 x 28. Contact me to purchase original.
In 2020, Kandaka was rescued from an abandoned zoo. She and her companion Mansour, were put in Sudan Animal Rescue for a time. But her prior starvation had led to health problems which required more care than was available at the sanctuary. So, Four Paws International transported the lions to Al-Mawa animal Sanctuary in Jordan, where Kandaka is safe and receives full care.
Link to the exciting story:
See minute 9:29 for the image that inspired this painting.
Mansour
Oil on Canvas. 24 x 36 Contact me to purchase original.
Mansour and Kandaka, were rescued from an abandoned zoo in a war zone. They were both attended to by the veterinary team at Four Paws International under the guidance of Dr. Amir Khalil. They were transported to Al-Mawa animal Sanctuary in Jordan.
Link to the harowing rescue story:
See minute 11:33 for the image that inspired this painting.
Nicola
Oil on canvas 24 x 48 Contact me to purchase original.
Nicola was a victim of the illegal trade in exotic cats. He was found, as a cub, roaming a European town for 10 days before Four Paws International rescued him. After some time in Felidas Sanctuary, where he met his companion lioness Vasylyna, a rescue from Ukraine, the two were brought to Lion’s Rock in South Africa.
See minute 4:17 for the image that inspired this painting.
Four Paws is a global animal welfare organization based in Vienna, Austria. It focuses on improving the living conditions of animals under direct human influence, by revealing suffering, rescuing animals in need, and protecting them.
Alda
Oil on canvas 24X 36in
Contact me to purchase original.
Alda and her daughter Ginny were rescued from a neglected cement cell at an illegal european breeding facility.
Thanks to Born Free Foundation, the two leopards were released into a large and grassy species-appropriate sanctuary in South Africa.
See the story here:
See minute 1:13 for the image that inspired this painting.
The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity that campaigns to "Keep Wildlife in the Wild". It protects wild animals in their natural habitat, campaigns against the keeping of wild animals in captivity and rescues wild animals in need.
Chief
Oil on canvas 24 x 48 in Contact me to purchase original.
When Chief was discovered languishing in a small cage, his condition was so poor that he hadn’t moved for 7 days. Luckily, he was rescued by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge where the veterinary team diagnosed his condition and figured out a course of treatment which has lead to his current good health.
Turpentine Creek does not buy, sell, trade, or breed animals. They are a hands-off facility and do not allow contact with the animals in their care. They are accredited with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, a member of Tigers in America, USDA Licensed and Arkansas Game and Fish Licensed.
This video is a compilation of numerous rescue stories at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Chief’s story is from minute 7:28 to 11:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P64WStLfoU4
The image that inspired this painting is at minute 8:16.
