30” x 48"
Acrylic on Canvas
Mythic Wild
Surreal, Visionary
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This surreal, symbol-rich painting tells a story of strength, transformation, and cosmic connection. At its core, four lions emerge—each expressing a different emotional state, from calm to fierce—reflecting protection, wisdom, and ancestral presence.
Above them, a red sun in eclipse glows behind a fractured, cloud-like structure with a mechanical feel. Golden spirals radiate outward, bridging the organic world below with a more digital, electric kind of energy.
The lion at the top stands in quiet strength, his profile lit by the eclipsed sun. He gazes toward it with calm focus, as if drawn by something ancient. His mane opens like a crown of firelight, revealing a timeless wisdom within. He feels like a guardian of change—watching the sky, steady as the world shifts around him.
To his left, a soulful blue lioness rests calmly, her fur echoing the night sky. She’s surrounded by two other lions—one wild and snarling, the other wide-eyed and aware almost playful–emerging from swirling shapes that resemble carved stone or living glyphs.
Beautiful and colorful Palm trees rise up, framing the scene in a lush, dreamlike jungle. A waterfall emerges beneath the lioness, once it hits the jungle floor it cuts through the terrain past glowing torches before vanishing into the depths below.
Scattered throughout are tiny lions—perched, curled, or standing guard—even two smaller cats are playing in the forefront, adding layers of mystery and meaning to this mythic, layered world.
“The Heart and the Hidden Sun” is a tribute to courage, wisdom, and the quiet strength of the soul. Each lion reflects a facet of transformation—guided by an inner sun and the Heart, even when the sky grows dark. This piece also honors the power of family, cosmic alignment, and the light we carry through shadow.
Tags: Lions, Courage, Ancient Wisdom, Lioness, Cosmic, Family, Jungle, Transformation, Healing
I began this piece at a live event at a venue in South Lake Tahoe in 2017 and ended up working on it slowly over a couple of years. At the time, I was deep into another job in Grass Valley, CA, while also pursuing my art career. It wasn’t the easiest chapter …I knew I needed change. I was searching for strength, transformation, and inner guidance…and those intentions eventually became the seed for this painting
But when I thought it was finished, something still felt off. The energy wasn’t quite right, and I didn’t feel excited about the outcome, so I set it aside. In 2020, after a few difficult years in Reno, I moved to Colorado— That’s when I returned to the piece and began working through it again. To my surprise, it sold during that time… but even though it had found a home, I still wasn’t at peace with it. The feeling stayed with me, quietly eating at me. The move to Colorado was necessary, but it did not instantly bring relief. In fact, Colorado ended up being one of the hardest chapters of my life. I had come out of five heavy years, Grass Valley to Reno, only to enter another kind of darkness—one where I lost the light for a while. And yet, it was through that very darkness that healing quietly began. Which is an entire story on its own…
A few years pass and in 2023, I asked my friend—the collector who had originally purchased it—if I could revisit the work. With fresh eyes, a clearer heart, and a deeper understanding of what it needed, I brought it back to life. The lions, the eclipsed sun, the jungle realm—
“The Heart and the Hidden Sun” became more than just a painting—it became a mirror of my journey through shadow, disconnection, and eventual rediscovery. It’s a visual archive of personal and creative growth. It speaks to the cycles we move through, the parts of us that break and rebuild, the quiet strength that returns, and the light we carry—even when it feels lost.
Now, I can finally look at this piece and feel peace. It helped me understand that my time in Colorado was meant for healing and rediscovering who I am—and what I’m here to do. I’m so grateful I trusted the process. Now, I can finally feel peace—and pride—in what this piece has become.
