Written by For Day 30 of #WorldWatercolorMonth and our prompt of “Wild Things,” I opted for a little baby lion. This was most likely because I recently saw Disney’s new updated Lion King recently and still had lions on the brain. I couldn’t find a reference of a little lion that I liked, so I used four photos and made up my own little baby lion from them for this sketch. Then I added just three colors to finish off the doodlewash. I think baby animals are adorable and so I will take any chance I can get to sketch one. Even an animal that could chew your face off when agitated is somehow more docile and adorable when it’s young. And, for the record, I did enjoy the new Lion King, though truly, it was really just a visual experience since it was a computer realistic shot-for-shot remake of the original. I was actually an adult when the animated version came out, but still in my early 20’s, so pretty much a kid. I adored the movie and would sing “Hakuna Matata” in the shower most mornings after watching it. For some reason, a song about “No Worries” just seemed like the perfect way to start the day. And now, 25 years later, I’m proud to say I’m still just like that kid I was! And you can still catch me singing this song in the shower. Well, not really, as that would mean you’re watching me in the shower, which could be a bit awkward for both of us, especially if you didn’t know all of the words.
The reality, of course, is that the song was really about not worrying about anything at all, including the important stuff in life. And thankfully, our hero in the movie realizes that some things are indeed worth worrying over and comes to the rescue in the end. I didn’t preface that with a spoiler alert as I can’t imagine anyone who’s not seen the Lion King, and it’s well, literally the plot of every Disney movie. But, I did love that song because it reminded me to not worry over the small things. There are indeed so many things in life that frankly don’t matter at all. Not even a little bit. Yet, even with their perfect insignificance it doesn’t stop those silly things from bugging us or distracting us each day. So, I liked the notion of “no worries” and approaching each day with a truly fresh mindset. I’m not sure if I can credit that original animated film entirely, but that habit has stayed with me to this day. Even if I’m not singing about the idea, that concept is still with me. It’s a bit utopian, but alluring, to think that life could actually be something that exists with no worries at all. This is, indeed, impossible, but if you save the worry for only the things that truly deserve it, life gets pretty darn amazing indeed.
And it’s equally crazy to think that a cute little creature like this lion cub could grow up to be a giant cat that one should definitely avoid cuddling. Yet, there are still those videos of people who’ve managed to connect with lions even into adulthood. It’s striking to watch that sort of bond between animal and man. It’s rare and unusual, because it can only possibly happen when two opposing creatures decide simultaneously that indeed, in this very moment, there are no worries. Worries are the things that bring out our less valuable instinct and cause us to do things that we don’t often feel we can control. So, my own approach is to control the worry in the first place. To put it in its place, as it were. When something is bothering me, I stop and consider it. Then I rank it up against all of the things I know really matter in life. Nearly all of the time, that worrisome thing comes up at the bottom of the list. Not just the bottom, but in a laughable and ludicrous last place position in comparison. So, when I see a human and a lion in a cuddle during one of those videos, I give most of the credit to the lion. It’s likely the lion who discovered that idea first, and realized there’s no danger or worry at all. It was simply pure instinct, in the end, and proves there’s rather something magical to be said for growing up wild.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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This is such a cute baby lion Charlie! I agree, baby animals are the cutest.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕Yes, I love the baby versions of animals best!
Your lion cub is adorable as are all babies. Well, maybe not baby komodo dragons. If you and Philippe ever get the chance to see The Lion King in the theater, do not pass it up. Neither of the movies, animated nor the new CGI version, have anything on the live production. Simply spectacular.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 We’ve actually not seen the live production, but it looks awesome! We missed it when it came here and now it’s Aladdin. hehe
Ah, I remember that sweet innocent look so well. Baby lions usually have it about 2 seconds before they pounce on you and dig in their tiny teeths and needle-sharp claws. Then they march off with a smug look and tail held high. Especially if you squealed. This is truth, I speak here, lol.
haha! Oh to have lived that! That would be amazing! 😃💕 So cool!
OMG I remember that movie because my young kids were obsessed with it and all things Lion King! They watched the movie over and over on the old VCR, sang the songs, had the stuffed animals. It was a great film, though. Love your little cub.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, that movie was awesome and captured so many hearts! I love movies like that!
Did you ever see that documentary about the man who befriends grizzly bears in some wild place like Alaska? Spoiler alert, in the end both he and his girlfriend get eaten! I bring this up because yes, sometimes you need to worry about the big stuff and take action. Such as leave the damn grizzly bears alone to be the best grizzly they can be. If I’m really worried about something, or annoyed about something, I can’t sleep. So I learned to let things go with a sort of meditation relaxation thing in bed before sleep. It works really well. That and I don’t try to make friends with creatures that can eat my face!!😂😂
Haha! Definitely good advice, Lisa! 😃💕 Befriending creatures who could eat your face off definitely comes with a certain risk. But, learning to let go of those littler thing that do matter is always a fabulous thing indeed!
Perfect timing. I saw the Lion King yesterday. The animation was incredible. I love how I forget they are not real. This was never one of my favorite Disney movies, but it was still good! Your little cub looks, like Simba. 🙂 Glad to hear you pieced this together using several photos, that’s something I noticed I have been doing lately.
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! Yeah, it’s only taken me years to be able to piece together references! lol In truth, my few minutes a day don’t add up to as much as one would think. 😉 And yeah, I’m with you. I realized in the live action version that this wasn’t one of my fave Disney movies, but it was still enjoyable!
Don’t sweat the small stuff, a good rule of life. That lion cub is cute, for the few moments that he is small. He will grow up and then my worry would not be a small one. But it is interesting how humans can bond with wild animals and I am friends with a couple of chickadees at my feeder. But I am fearful of the squirrels…..
Thanks so much, Bob! 😃💕Yeah, it’s wonderful to witness the bond between animals and man…yet, yeah, you do always have to watch out for the squirrels in the mix. 😉
I often sing “No Worries”! Not out loud but just to remind myself that whilst my lifestyle may not allow for $$$l luxuries I am surrounded by sunshine, sails, smiles & health. Thanks for the reminder.
Yay to all those wonderful things, Vicki! 😃💕 Life is never better than we we appreciate the little things in it!
Awe so sweet….he looks fearless as a little baby. My husband and I took the train to Canada to see the live theatre show of the Lion King.in Toronto. It was fabulous.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕 Aww.. yay! I’ve not seen the live show of Lion King, but I want to!!