By symbolizing strength, power, nobility, and grace, lions are one of nature’s most amazing animals. My inspiration for this painting came from an abused lion named Duke. Upon hearing Duke’s story, I visited this abused lion. I returned to my studio and spent the next two hundred hours completing this painting. In contemplating the composition of the painting, I felt that the head of the lion with his long, flowing main is one of the most powerful identities in nature. When I thought of the strength and courage of the abused lion, I decided the head and the main of Duke would be the predominant focal point and composition of the painting.
I titled this painting “Pride of the Plains” because lions are such powerful and noble symbols of nature. In addition, I find it proper that
several lions together are referred to as a pride.
