Venerdi in Venice: We are Lions, Hear Us Meep

 

ink & watercolour ACEO weensy, 3.5" x 2.5" [9 x 6.5cm]
Acquire this original Meep Miniature here.

Cats big and small love to laze, stretch, slumber in the sun ~ and to indulge in the occasional Faux-Doze for the benefit of potential prey.  These stately lions watching over the Canal Grande in Venice are no exception, except that they tend to stay still for the sake of a regal photo or sketching opportunity, and all they're likely to catch is the odd irreverent pigeon thought.   Thanks so very much to Pierre's Venice Daily Photo for generously allowing me its exquisite inspiration, and especially to Alain Hamon for this particular one.  Grazie mille!!!    

[Post Update 29th June:  Dear Alain has kindly posted my little illo together with his photo at his own blog, and it's lovely seeing them side by side.  Thank you so very much!]

It's a gorgeous fine winter's day here, the kind I'd be happy with all season long ~ mild in temps, a sun that's fully present but mellow rather than roaring, and a few benign little tufts of lazy vanilla fairy floss.  I might even follow the lions' lead and climb out onto the roof to survey the landscape.  And on that potentially perilous note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

25 comments

  1. Actually, these lions look like they do meep rather than roar. :~} This is a wonderful Alain Hamon–inspired piece of art! Love the way you captured the perspective and varying degrees of focus, Shell. What a joy to be in Venice on such a beautiful day, whatever the season on your particular side of the globe (here, it's hotter than the hinges of hell, as my grandmother used to say).

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  2. I love Venice, and even more your Venice with any kind of weather, even the cold rainy one I had there !!
    Here we had a very unusual Spring but it seems Summer is arriving almost on schedule, but not too hot please !!!!!

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  3. I'm usually scared of lions but they look almost cuddly here. When I went to Pierre's site to see the original photo, I noticed it was posted on my husband's birthday. How apropos since Venice is one of our favorite places and this was a beautiful way to remember it.

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  4. Venice has stone lions? Now I really have to go one day to see these majestic creatures in person! Good thing they only meep because the roar of a lion makes vuvuzelas sound tame in comparison.

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  5. Thanks, Alexa! I was so tempted to get the pen out for the background as well, but this one kind of demanded "fuzzy". {Hee, I hadn't heard that before. Hotter than the hinges of hell will be a handy one to remember for me in six months time.

    Marylène ~ it was cold and verging on wet when I visited as well. Happy summer to you!

    What a happy coincidence, PCN! I should have put those dates together myself.

    Cali ~ yes, it has more than these ones ~ you'd love them! If I was in the crowd at the soccer, I'd have to take ear muffs. The fun of the vuvuzelas would wear off me pronto. :)

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  6. I couldn't blow this up, so couldn't find the mascot. Where is he? In the boat or in a window?

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  7. There's a mascot? But these meeping lions are cute and mascot-sized. I like them, and the photo the emulate is a stunner.

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  8. Love the composition of colors in this one. Quite lovely.

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  9. Such a wonderful way to end a tough work week -- I now feel myself drifting along the canals of Venice with friendly lions keeping watch. Such a delightful drawing Shell! I hope your good winter weather holds. (FYI, I didn't know that lazy vanilla fairies floss!)

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  10. In the evening, the gentle sound of water, people enjoying their Friday night, and the soft meeping of lions echoing throughout the city....

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  11. Hiker ~ look again. Ok, I confess, I forgot the mascot first time around. I blame it on low blood sugar. :)

    Petrea ~ yes, a weensy kitty is supposed to make an appearance in every meep miniature {à la Hitchcock, but cute}. Alain's photo is a beauty!

    Thanks, Margaret ~ just following Venice's lead, so I can't take the colour credit but oh heck, I will.

    Katie ~ heh heh!! I guess vanilla fairies aren't so lazy after all. ;)

    Ms M ~ oh, that's lovely! Happy weekend to you...

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  12. Shell, you're getting great mileage out of 'meep'. Will this be the meep series of paintings, leading to the internationally renowned Meep Exhibition, and subsequently the Early 21st Century Meep Movement?

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  13. I love the idea of tiny lions that meep! Hey - it could be an intimidating sort of meep. :)

    It was very kind of them to sit still for you. In fact, I don't know that I've ever met such polite lions.

    I hope your lovely winter days continue; it sounds pretty perfect!

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  14. Mise ~ you could be onto something. And Amy will be recognised by the Early 21st Century Ratcliffian Meep Movement as the coiner of meep. Bifocals worn low on the nose will be its symbol.

    Ameep ~ they do look very polite. I think they wish they could offer us a caffe.

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  15. Vanilla fairy floss? Now my mouth is watering. Where do you get that from? Do you make it yourself?

    Love the lions, Shell. Meep! Meep!

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  16. Meep, meep, MmeB ~ I've never actually seen vanilla fairy floss outside my imagination. If I ever find it, I'll let you know. I don't think I'll try to make it ~ too dangerous an ability to have. :)

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  17. You always have interesting content, and I enjoy reading your posts very much. So, I have awarded you with The Versatile Blogger award because you deserve it, and as a thank you.

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  18. Ah a delight for sure our dear Shell. I have lots for you to choose from my dear! :)
    V

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  19. Hi, le0pard13! It's so lovely to see you here, and congratulations on your well-merited award. You are most kind to honour me with it ~ thank you, merci, grazie!!

    Woohoo, Virginia ~ I can hardly wait, thank you!!

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  20. I posted a couple of days ago but just realised it didn't go through. Sorry bout that. I just wanted to say I agree with EVERYONE! Meep-a-licous painting.

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  21. Oh Beautiful! Thanks Shell Sherree. Alain will be delighted!

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  22. Thanks, Debs!! Pesky when those comments are whisked off into the cosmic void ~ it's happened to me, too.

    Pierre ~ I'm chuffed, thank you so much!

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  23. I love your drawings! Specially the Venice series! Simply beautiful!
    Thank you

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  24. Bonjour AnnaLivia ~ merci beaucoup! Thank you for visiting and saying hello. Your Venice blog is beautiful ~ I've added it to my sidebar.

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  25. Thanks Shell Sherree!
    Have a great day!

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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