The art of
Robert Louis Caldwell
Robert Louis Caldwell
"Constant Caution (Lions)"Oil on 1/2" maple panel
15 x 30 in |
In May 2016, I was asked to create two special paintings for an upcoming show, “7,” at Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Seven artists were selected and each was given a virtue and a sin to inspire their work. I drew diligence (virtue) and sloth (sin).
This was indeed a challenge. As a wildlife artist, how do you convey a virtue and a sin in a painting? As I typically do with concept shows, I started with each word’s meaning.
Diligence: A careful and persistent work of effort; constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken.
Sloth: A habitual disinclination to exertion; indulgence, laziness; a failure to do things that one should do.
Fast-forward to September and I am headed back to Tanzania for a wildlife safari. Knowing that I needed to begin work on these two paintings, I reviewed the notes I had made on “diligence” and “sloth” in my sketchbook.
On day two of the safari, we were in Tarangire National Park where we had the great fortune of stumbling on a pair of young lions hanging out in a tree (I added a third lion for the painting). Being young, they were very alert of their surroundings and other animals and, I would guess, wondering where their mother was. After getting our fill of photographs, one of my fellow Land Cruiser guests made the simple comment about how diligent the lions were being in surveying their surroundings. Just as my thoughts started turning to a possible painting, our guide said (with a very heavy accent), “Yes, the young lions in the tree are being cautious.” That was it, everything came together in a split second. I grabbed my sketchbook, scribbled down some notes about the scene and took another round of photos. Later that night at camp, I sketched out the basic composition for “Diligence.”
This was indeed a challenge. As a wildlife artist, how do you convey a virtue and a sin in a painting? As I typically do with concept shows, I started with each word’s meaning.
Diligence: A careful and persistent work of effort; constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken.
Sloth: A habitual disinclination to exertion; indulgence, laziness; a failure to do things that one should do.
Fast-forward to September and I am headed back to Tanzania for a wildlife safari. Knowing that I needed to begin work on these two paintings, I reviewed the notes I had made on “diligence” and “sloth” in my sketchbook.
On day two of the safari, we were in Tarangire National Park where we had the great fortune of stumbling on a pair of young lions hanging out in a tree (I added a third lion for the painting). Being young, they were very alert of their surroundings and other animals and, I would guess, wondering where their mother was. After getting our fill of photographs, one of my fellow Land Cruiser guests made the simple comment about how diligent the lions were being in surveying their surroundings. Just as my thoughts started turning to a possible painting, our guide said (with a very heavy accent), “Yes, the young lions in the tree are being cautious.” That was it, everything came together in a split second. I grabbed my sketchbook, scribbled down some notes about the scene and took another round of photos. Later that night at camp, I sketched out the basic composition for “Diligence.”