Following the Lion - Cushion

The lion has, for millennia, been a symbol of kings - and most significantly - the King of kings, Jesus Christ. He is known as "the Lion from the tribe of Judah". In art and literature, the lion appears as a representation of Christ - such as in C.S. Lewis' Narnia stories. Inspired by these representations and by the Biblical imagery, I created this image - using watercolour and gouache - of a lion walking up a rocky, mountainous path, surrounded by forest. The viewer stands back at a distance - facing a choice whether to follow the Great Lion wherever He leads or to turn back in fear. The two main trees form a doorway through which the viewer is invited to enter. This doorway ties in with the Biblical concept of Christ being the door to salvation. We must choose whether or not to enter through this door - and once through (if that is the path we have chosen) we continue to be faced with the choice to follow Christ afresh and anew with each passing day - even if we must walk the path alone.