I painted this feeling — the magic of a lion’s roar rumble in my chest while falling asleep in the Serengeti.

Africa’s Lion population has declined 90% in the last 75 years. There are now an estimated 20,000 lions across Africa due to decline largely from habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and human encroachment. This encroachment has led to increased interactions between lions and humans, resulting in conflict and retaliation killing when livestock is involved. The hunting industry also threatens this species, and poaching is on the rise as demand for lion bones has become the go-to substitute for dwindling tiger bone supply.

A portion of proceeds from purchasing this original painting will go to a locally-run organization protecting lions in Africa.