«Guarding the time» (2020) Peinture par Fefa Koroleva

All started from deceased cat of my husband’s parents. I wanted to paint his journey on the other side, because many of my works are about this topic. I saw different images and immersed into them, preparing to transfer them to the canvas. And next I have got an invitation to participate in an exhibition about cats in art.

But a lot of unexpected turns happen often in my works and this story isn’t an exception.

The cat announced delicately, but strongly that maybe he is now in the cat’s body, but actually he is a lion. And it should be treated with the utmost respect. The lion came into the picture this way. The cat and all the images connected with him vice versa disappeared. Either a new condition, or the cat led me to this image and went further finding a door to his next life. He didn’t want to tell me about details.

When the lion appeared and started to look at me from the canvas intently, I saw familiar images in his eyes. From time to time I saw my lovely granny which deceased recently. The lion allowed me like touching the world on the other side like a guide holding my hand carefully and leading by unknown path.

I was going peacefully with him and watching what happens around. Until I began rushing and hurrying him up. I wanted to finish my work by the opening date of the exhibition and I stoped hearing what he was telling me. I wanted to change the characters of the lion’s face, but the more I was changing something, the more I was feeling that the life disappears in his eyes. Having freaked out, I just painted over his head and mane with a black colour for painting everything again. But he is gone.


Next there were 4 months of silence. I knew that the lion would returned, but I didn't want to repeat my mistake and just waited for him to contact me and call me. And he called me. It was a week before New Year. He returned new, wiser and deeper. Due to this I was embarced at the first moment. His mane was like a map of amazing paths among the worlds. And drawing every touch I was catching different images which I couldn’t see clearly like old memories or a floating dream.


Perhaps he was going these ways alone, perhaps he was escorting and guarding somebody who were destined to walk on these roads.

He introduced as «Guarding the time». The time is hard now. But he can be entrusted with guarding the time!



The artwork is signed on the front and provided with a certificate of authenticity.

If you'd like any more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thèmes connexes

LionAnimalWingsSoulSpirit