I was privileged to take a seminal first trip to Africa (specifically, South Africa, including Kruger National Park) in early 2011, funded by collector donations. I came away from that experience deeply and indescribably inspired, and with more than 5000 reference photos of the many, beautiful, and varied species of that incredible place.

Seeing lions in the wild was particularly thrilling - and humbling! they are damn big, which I didn't realize until a male sauntered past our compact car and was as tall as the windows and as long as both doors! We had the great good fortune to spend time with a mating pair late one hot afternoon; they spent much of their time lazing in shade next to the dirt road, and that's what inspired this painting.

Yupo is a type of slick watercolor paper on which the oils handle very loosely and with glowing transparency - huge fun!