2. The Catalyst

“You and I one eternal soul,

With passing lives, with passing names.

We step into a grown-up stage,

two kittens still to learn,

that two Leopards we always were.”

Symbology

Panther: Friend or Folly? Her opposite many ways, the Leopard is the ‘the steward of the fire’ to her ordained path.

Alchemist’s belt- Her raw talents are all she needs to accomplish her mission.

Acacia Tree: The clearest pathway towards heaven rooted in the world.

Lion Head: The major adversary is shown, finally humiliated.

Swallow: Carries the answer to her doubts expressed if you listen carefully.

Rose: The ‘fruits’ of her journey.

At first glance, The Catalyst seems like another figurative work, just a chick with a cat right? However, a more detailed look ‘beneath the skin’ starts to reveal the power of this work lies in the contrast between the symbols: the Panther’s male ferocity vs the heroines delicate, feminine expression; the crisp detail interwoven with blended brushwork ; the contrast in hand movements in the heroine herself. and emotional power of the painting to present an experience of contrasts. This work is a mirror to your own inner dimension of contrasts, and the harmony that ties them all together within your own human experience.

Although The Catalyst is the second piece in the FELINA series, it represents cornerstone of my accumulated life experience in art, animals, psychology and esoteric knowledge. It is a code of symbols to express a series of powerful, unfathomable inner experiences. Guiding this “code” is the The Panther (Leopard), the spirit which fueled my artistic journey from the very beginning; it was a natural choice for the flagship piece. The female protagonist was inspired by a life-changing romantic experience which turned out to be my spiritual awakening. It was such a transformative and educational event that I was compelled to translate the layers of complexity into a deserving composition. The interplay between two contrasting forces, a woman and a Panther, invite you to contemplate the overarching narrative.