As my journey as an Artist has evolved and I have grown, I have felt with strong conviction that my gifting as an artist is a platform that I can use to help others and causes I feel passionate about. As fate would have it, a lion was one of the very first sketches I remember doing when I was a child. A few years ago I read about the belief of the Zulu people of the sacredness of the White Lions. While reading about those lions, I also learnt about the sad reality of canned lion hunting which involves the killing of captive lions. This activity saddens me in a very deep part of my heart, and when I first came to understand this, the helplessness overwhelmed me. I came to learn of a sanctuary in the Western Cape of Southern Africa called Drakenstein Lion Park. Paul Hart, the owner and visionary has humbled me as the work he does to rescue lions from abusive and hunting situations is incredible.
Recently I visited with Paul and his Team at the sanctuary, and I am so happy that I am able to use my art in a small way to raise awareness and contribute. With each sketch of one of the lions homed at Drakenstein - a donation of 50% of the total selling price is donated towards their care.
This makes me happy, as I believe that art is a conduit to share a message, highlight aspects of life, allow the human family to step back and view life in another shade of reality, and in this case allow these lions to speak through my work.
Please visit this link for further information about what Drakenstein does, and it would be fantastic if you could share the information found there. Briefly - petting lion cubs when visiting Africa has a very negative impact on the cubs, so please dont do it. www.lionrescue.org.za
Thanking Drakenstein Lion Park for all the work you do for those animals you have rescued and for living your passion. It is inspiring and humbling.
On this page you will find sketches that I have done of some of the lions at the park.
 | This is Ares - he is at home at the Drakenstein Lion Park, Western Cape. Ares was found starving and sick with a severe eye infection, in a traveling French circus. After being rescued from the appalling conditions and 10 months of veterinary treatment to get him strong enough to travel, Ares finally arrived at the sanctuary on 10-02-2010. Ares was born in 2007. I wish to thank Joanie Bond for the opportunity to sketch Ares - 50% of the sale of this sketch is donated to his well being. |
"The original Ares sketch arrived at my house today, its beautiful and I would recommend anyone having a special sketch done of their adopted or favorite lion at Drakenstein. Vanessa is a fantastic artist" Joanie Bond
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi
