His Rock, His Kingdom – Lion

Description

The Serengeti, where the Land shapes the creatures and the Millennia have shaped the land. Crossing the Endless Sea of Grass there, atop one of the Kopjes, a pair of lions rested and surveyed their kingdom. Honeymooners taking a break before continuing their romance. Fractured by the ages, the worn and craggy features of the rock had taken on a life of their own in the glow of the setting sun. Sculpted by the force of time, there was no need for fictionalized shapes or faces, they were already there. The sight haunted me for twenty years, patiently waiting for me to develop new methods with my pens. Until it could wait no more. I needed those years to practice, to visualize, and to push my pens to a new level. At times wishing I could use a pallet knife to carve the rock, instead it took layer upon layer of dots and strokes to create the depth of the fissures and infuse it with the glow of an African sunset. I am glad I waited.