ABOUT THE ARTWORK
 
2023
Pen and ink
A3
 
In general, my artworks are based on direct observation or drawing/painting things from real life as I see them. But occasionally, I have a yearning in my spirit to create something with a deeper meaning - something that ties in with my Christian faith. Ever since I first watched a cartoon version of C.S. Lewis’ classic story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe back when I was a boy, I have loved the land of Narnia and the Great Lion, Aslan. I grew to love the story of The Horse and His Boy a few years ago (I didn’t enjoy it so much as a boy). There was a lot about the boy Shasta that resonated with me - he gave voice to many of the cries of my boyhood soul. Those cries have remained with me and have deepened over the years. In recent times I have found myself crying, “God, where are you?” I was drawn to read The Horse and His Boy at one point in this confusing mist and read of Shasta riding along a lonely, misty path and hearing a creature pacing along beside him. That creature was Aslan himself - who revealed to Shasta that he had been with him, watching over him and protecting him since birth.
 
Inspired and tremendously encouraged by this, I was stirred to convey the imagery and meaning in an artwork - to serve as a continual reminder to me that I am not, never have been and never will be truly alone. My aim was not to perfectly recreate the imagery from the story but to use it as a springboard for an image that truly captured my heart’s response to it. In a way, it is a self portrait. I am the boy walking in the mist and the Great Lion is Christ. Downcast is my lonely soul, tearful eyes look down with bowed head - but then - a Great Voice speaks.
 
I wanted to give the work an illustrative style - using fineliner pen to create rhythmical line-work. The mist is implied by the empty background. Tiny flowers caress the passing feet - unnoticed blessings. For the frame, I wanted to compliment the weightiness and illustrative nature of the drawing and go with something that had the feel of an old museum/library. Painting an ornate frame black helped achieve this.
 
This image will print best on Hahnemühle German Etching paper.
 
 
ABOUT THE PRINTS
 
Most of my original artworks are available in archival quality print form and are printed using the giclée process by ACME et al in Steels Creek, Victoria. Each stage of the printing process is carefully overseen by James, the printer (with nearly three decades of industry experience), to ensure the highest quality product. These prints are made to last for decades with minimal fading and are printed on high-end, sturdy papers.
 
Because the prints are made on demand and printed individually rather being mass-produced, please allow between two to three weeks for processing and delivery of your order (or a little longer for customers outside of Australia).
 
Please note that framing is not included with print purchases. Each print will, however, include a margin/blank border around the image to allow for framing so that as much of the artwork as possible can be seen when framed.
 
POSTAGE
 
Prints will be mailed directly from ACME et al (in most cases) to the customer. The cost of postage is included within the overall price of the print for customers within Australia. An additional fee of $20.00 AUD will be required for international customers.
 
CUSTOM MADE
 
If you would prefer a different print size to those listed, custom sizing can be arranged through email. This also applies if you would prefer an image to be printed on canvas (unstretched). Contact me at info@robertkingdomart.com to discuss options. 
 
It is helpful to note that the original sizes/dimensions of my artworks vary and this can impact how well the images translate across to different ratios of print/framing sizes. Some outer parts of an image may be lost/cropped because of this. Original artworks that are smaller in size can only be enlarged so much before losing definition.