Lion Guard – Original Painting

Lion Guard – Original Painting

About the image:

The lions of Trafalgar Square stand guard around at Nelson’s Column. They would still be impressive sculptures without this association. Lying, sphinx like, atop a raised plinth. You have to look up at them they command respect. The angle shows the lion seemingly standing guard over the National Portrait Gallery which appears like a toy in comparison. The Lion stares forward, mouth open in that way cats do when their attention is drawn to potential prey. Not scary but not exactly friendly either. Below crowds are milling, indistinct, not worthy of his attention but he stands guard anyhow. Or maybe that should be sitting guard?

Notice the colours, the iridescent blue blue squiggles, that pick out highlights on the lion’s mane. Mottled green and brown textures of the roof and the top of the plinth the brilliant red flag suspended between the Arches of the gallery and the blue green outfit are the tourist that makes him stand out in an otherwise anonymous sea of figures. The Deep Brown Shadows of the galleries portico between the sunlight columns. Trails of colour fly into the sky energy escaping as if the ideas contained within the gallery could ever be contained within it’s limited walls. No matter how grand the building, it will always have limits. The power in ideas is when they are shared. Dreams must escape from within us, if we never allow them to, you wouldn’t be here looking at this painting. So what is the lion guard? I like to think he’s guarding ideas but ultimately it’s up to you to decide.