Framed, Limited Edition Giclee Print 2016 (Age 20)
 
Print Size: 10" x 15"
 
Framed Size 19" x 24"
 
Smallest of the big cats, the Clouded Leopard resides elusively in the Himalayan foothills throughout mainland Southeast Asia. Due to deforestation and illegal poaching, this leopard, often called the ‘modern saber-tooth’ has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN and endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with fewer than 10,000 mature animals in the wild. Therefore, part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting was donated to conservation efforts. When studying a species in desperate need, it does not feel like I am doing it a favour. Rather, the Clouded Leopard did me the favour of enjoyment seeing two at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Compositionally, I employed an inverted triangle to echo the shape of the face, on which I set a triangular sliver of warm dawning sunlight, contrasting the cool mist rising from beneath, adding mystique and drama to the scene.