The lions lazed in the morning sun, and my camera’s shutter clicked in rapid succession. The solo male lion rose and began walking towards me, slow and relaxed, at ease and clearly the king of his domain.
As he walked, my shutter never stopped, capturing his motion as he passed. I could see the details of his eyes, the weight of his mane, and the intelligent glimmer in his eye. He paused in his morning stroll, looking over his shoulder ~ at me perhaps? ~ his gaze taking in his surroundings before continuing on, eventually out of sight.
This experience has stayed with me, and was the inspiration for one of my first animal portrait coloring illustrations. It started as a sketch in my journal, while studying my favorite photograph of the Lion, who I’d seen while at the Oregon Zoo. I’ve since colored this Lion illustration countless times, and each one is unique, each time re-connecting me to the powerful energy of that striking Lion.
This is why I’m thrilled to share that my Animal Portrait Coloring Posters are going to be used by the Oregon Zoo’s Education Department as part of their Zoo Apprenticeship program (ZAP).
ZAP is a grant-funded youth program that employs local youth as educators providing free conservation programming to marginalized communities in the Portland area. The participants of ZAP receive training and mentoring to hone their leadership and job skills, as well as guided education tours designed connect them more closely to wild nature.
Now, the coloring posters that I created inspired by some of the Oregon Zoo’s own animals will be gifted to some of the youth who are part of ZAP, as well as used as an activity at some of their events.
I’m incredibly grateful to Skyler, who answered my call on the Zoo’s donation line, who listened to what I had to offer, and instantly saw the value in it for the Education Department. And who then put in the effort to make this slightly-unusual donation happen.
Ever since I started creating coloring book art, I’ve found joy in gifting it to others. In the past, this has focused on donating boxes of coloring books to classrooms for grade schoolers at both public and private schools. It is very exciting to be adding the Oregon Zoo into our list of donation recipients and to know that my coloring is reaching their community.
Want to color some of the animal portraits inspired by the Oregon Zoo?
Download this special Oregon Zoo inspired Cheetah coloring page.
This collection shows the original photograph as well as the 12×18″ coloring poster in black and white as well as hand-colored with marker and pencil. The Lion coloring art is currently available in Journey of Colors: Coloring Book and Guide to Technique as well as the Dusk Coloring Postcards and the Relax&Unwind Coloring Journals.
About the Author
Mackenzie Bakewell, or ZieBee, is the lead author and artist here at ZieBee Media. Mackenzie is a travel photographer, illustrator, and professional book maker. She specializes in helping people turn their ideas into reality, tapping into her background in web design, publishing, and portrait photography. She is passionate about the use of creative play as a tool for health and happiness.
