TNT Artspirations Web Site

Sunday, 11 January 2015

Lion Love

Hello Friends,

Sometimes I share with you things that I experience in my personal walk of faith, as that is where most of my art is born. You have always come back with loving comments, even if some of you are not in the same place spiritually. I appreciate you so very much.

About a week ago, at a special Island wide prayer meeting, I sensed the presence of a lion during worship. I have sensed this before, but only in the last few months. Like this time, he is usually up close to me. I can almost feel his warm muzzle on my face. It covers my whole face and feels like a soft, fuzzy kiss.
This past week I came across a scripture (bible verse) that arrested my attention. I have been meditating on it all week. I have also been sick all week with a nasty cold and was not able to go to church today. I opened my bible again to the same verse. The sketch of my lion was still open on my desk because I wanted to keep it fresh in my mind as well. Suddenly I saw how the two - the verse and the sketch - could come together.
I started by drawing my (not so good) version of a globe behind the lion. Then I added the verse, first in pencil. I went over it with a gold Sharpie marker and later outlined that with a white gel pen. The background is soft pastels. I used Prisma colour pencils and soft pastels on the globe.

Drawing bodies does not interest me much, nor am I very good at it. I think the two go hand-in-hand - not being interested in drawing bodies and not being good at it. Anyway, I decided to draw more of a suggestion of a body for my lion. He ended up looking fat. Then I had the idea to add a mountain range to his back to represent the earth. My mountains looked more like houses, so I went with it, adding little suggestions of people. "The earth is filled with your love, O Lord." What better way to represent that than by the people that God so adores?
I coloured my lion with Prisma colour pencils and, once I was pleased with the results, I started taking pictures. But then I noticed that something was missing. Can you tell what?
If you said "whiskers" than you are more observant than I was the first time around. Never fear. I got out my secret mixed media artist's weapon - my white gel pen. Voila.
And here is another close-up just because I love this big fellow so much.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by. I hope I have inspired you in some way through my words or through my art. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about my faith.

Blessing hugs,
Teresa

Link-ups:
Paint Party Friday - art
Crafting When We Can - Anything but a Card
Opus Gluei - Anything but a card
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes

11 comments:

Jackie Scott said...

Teresa he is an awesome, but a very friendly looking lion. And yes, he does look better with the whiskers!
Hope you are feeling better soon.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Especially love the muzzle area Teresa..as Jackie said a calm and friendly looking lion!
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects

Valerie-Jael said...

Your lion is just beautiful Teresa, and he reminds me very much of Aslan in 'Narnia'. Hugs, Valerie

Electra said...

You have done an amazing job with this-it's a treasure! I love the people along the lion's back. Thanks for joining in with our challenge at Opus Gluei!

Desire Fourie said...

A beautiful drawn lion. Just adore the expression on his face, so warm and inviting.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Wow, this is truly amazing coloring. Just love those hints of the darker color in the mane. Nicely done. Thanks for visiting and leaving the sweet luv.
Hugs
Berni
berni46blogspot.

Crafting With Jack said...

Your lion is gorgeous. He looks friendly and inviting. You have done his muzzle so well. Now I want to do a lion! xx

Karon said...

This is stunning - you have really given this majestic lion life - including the whiskers :-)

Penny said...

OMWord, Teresa, he is sooo beautiful! I love the wise expression you have captured in his eyes! And I love how you go with the creative flow and make something meaningful out of a blank space! :^)
Hugs, Penny

NanaConnie said...

Absolutely magnificent lion's face, Teresa! Incredible coloring on his mane. WOW!

Patricia St Martin said...

Looking at his face close up reminds me of my cat Felix... some time he wakes me up in the morning with his nose pressed up to my face and he has a cold nose. Your lion is beautiful and this is what it make me feel, his eyes have love in them but also show much concern for the things that are going on and wants his presents to be known because her is so beautiful and powerful and his eye are open to seeing all things. He looks much better with his whiskers, love what you do. Very talented person you are. Thanks for sharing your wonderful projects.
Hugs, Pat/♥