Big cat paintings at a glance.
Click on the image for more information.
Click on the image for more information.
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.
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.
The French title reflects this lioness’ connection to the city of Lyon.
Here is the video that updates us on how the lions of Lyon are now enjoying their new home.
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 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 price:$950 USD
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.
Alda steps out
Oil on canvas 24 x 36in
The original was purchased at the Born Free Foundation’s Footsteps to Freedom Ball 2026, during the online auction.
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r569NJcebiw.
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.
Snow leopard in the Himalaya
Oil on canvas 30 × 40
This painting was inspired by a trail camera image at minute 26:24 in the Bedi brothers' documentary titled: The Snow Leopard's Secret Life in the Himalayas, with permission from Vijay Bedi.
In the foreground, I included a secondary focus and a nod to the interaction between co-inhabitants of the Himalayas.
See the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDTxN1XQJaM&t=1158s
See minute 26:24 for the image that inspired this painting.
Alda at Home.
Oil on canvas. 18 × 24”
The original was sold at the Born Free Foundation’s Footsteps to Freedom Ball 2026, during the on-line auction.
This painting was inspired by the image at second 0:32 of this video showing Alda’s update in her new home.
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.
