Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Majestic African Lion

 

Majestic African Lion

His Royal Highness
Portrait of an African lion at rest but ever watchful. Lions are among my favorite subjects and i paint them often. Their regal appearance and raw power fill me with awe. What amazing creatures!

The Wisdom of Picasso
Recently I ran across this quote by Pablo Picasso:
“God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things.”

Of course, to me He is the quintessential Artist, rather than “just another” one, and He does have style, even though He doesn’t limit Himself to any particular method or material.  But I like to think of Him trying out other things, perhaps just because He wants to, perhaps because that is who He is. His creativity is never ending, He doesn’t get bored, never runs out of fresh ideas, and somehow one new thing leads to another, then another and another, and…

That is an encouraging thought, especially for those of us who have been at this for a while. Even though others may think we are too old to play, we just keep on trying new things, or new ways of doing familiar things. In theory, we can stay young forever because we never have to lose the wonder and joy of new discovery, new adventures, new  accomplishments - often without ever leaving our studios.

It isn’t always easy, however. We all go through “artists’ block” sometimes, or times when it seems we should be doing something else, something more important, more practical, more lucrative, more grow-up. Do those other things also, if you must, but don’t give up what really brings you joy, just keep on keeping on. Because being joyful and sharing your joy is what life is really all about. It seems to me that it must please our Creator too or he wouldn’t have filled the world with so many wonderful things.

 This pastel painting is available through my website,  https://www.dellaburgus.com/

 


 

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