41 x 41cm
Cross Hairs
16" x 16", acrylic, 1989

I got the idea for this painting while visiting a local zoo. I noticed this animal looking directly at me with such innocence that I started imagining how vulnerable it would be in the wild during hunting season. The hunter's cross hairs are aimed directly at its head while its mate is standing beside (notice the ear of its mate on the left).

When I exhibited this painting at an art gallery, both animal lovers and hunters hated it. Animal lovers hated it for obvious reasons and hunters disagreed with the positioning of the cross hairs. You see, hunters always aim at the body to keep the face and head intact. I never thought I would live to see the day when these two groups would agree on anything. The art gallery pulled it off its wall after receiving several negative comments about it. Come to think of it, I can't blame them. Half of the gallery was dedicated to wildlife art.