University City’s Roaring Lion Project 2009

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The University City Lion Project began with a call to artists in celebration to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the installation of the two gigantic lion sculptures on the pillars at the intersection of Delmar and Trinity roads. Businesses, schools and other organizations were asked to purchase and sponsor an undecorated, fiberglass lion. Artists submitted designs and proposals to decorate the nine, near life-sized lions available with over 30 artists applying for the opportunity. The lions were displayed throughout University City from June 13, 2009 to September 2009, then auctioned off.

On Saturday, June 13th, University City publicly hosted a lion scavenger hunt, unveiling the nine newly decorated lions. My lion was placed on DELMAR at the intersection of MIDLAND Road, just west of the Loop area. This project was an artistic challenge for me since I only started painting my last semester in school at SIUE, and applying paint to a 3-dimensional sculptural form based on a 2-dimensional sketch was new. Spending a great deal of time and sometimes back-breaking work to paint at various levels, I was satisfied when my “vision” became reality. I spent over 40 hours just painting the lion shell with acrylic paints. That does not include the additional time for design, proposal-writing, materials research and procurement, travel, communication with the city staff, and installation delivery.

 

CONCEPT AND MATERIALS

I submitted a concept proposal, preliminary drawing, material list, and qualifications for my project, planning to use soft acrylic artist paints for their archival properties and smoother application that thicker acrylics. The colors I selected for my lion related to the University City “City Hall” building with it’s blue copper top, cream and buff stonework and nearly black doors. Living in a high-rise prevented me from working at home, and fellow ceramic artist, Carol Fleming, was very generous to offer me space at her Terra Nova Studio to work in. After the painting was completed, the surface was covered with several clear-coats of UV varnish. Then, University City arranged for a UV automotive overcoat prior to the installation to protect the artist's materials. Naturally, all these layers required some “dry time” between the various coats.

 

DOCUMENTING THE PROCESS

The images you will see here begin with the primed white lion and the application of gradient base colors from copper blue to cream to buff ascending up the lion that I used to blend while creating my background “canvas”. On top of this, the black line designs of varying widths and textures were applied to create the details you will see in several close up shots. The evolution of the design began at the front shoulder, went to the front hindquarter, followed by the lion’s back; Then the opposite side also began at the shoulder and worked toward the hindquarter. Finally the mane, crown and face were attended to. I worked intuitively with my designs, reflecting my background involvement with marine life and exotic plant textural details that fascinate me. The final images show the lion installed in its location at the beautifully maintained, grassy entrance to University Hills.

 

ABOUT THE NAME

The name I chose, “Royal Coat”, relates to the historical significance of lions used in crests by English royalty. The idea that the lion is wearing a coat portraying some of nature’s finest textures, forms and details - or various coats of paint - all play into the name. For those who have visited or viewed images of the underwater world in all its diversity, you will understand what my imagery relates to. Even if you haven’t, I hope the viewer will appreciate the artistic qualities I tried to bring to the work.