This listing is for a GICLEE PRINT ON CANVAS of my original painting: “LUCHA TIGRE” the cover art of Exotica Moderne Magazine issue #12.
Dimensions: 16"x20"
This GICLEE CANVAS PRINT comes with hanging hardware, ready to hang.
The original painting of this LARGE PAPER PRINT was done in acrylics, by me, the artist RARABIRD, in 2021.
My signature is hidden in one of the veins of the purple brain coral in the bottom right corner.
This painting has a circus theme. Ku, the Hawaiian God of Strength, War. Battle, Ferocity and Vigor, poses as the Strong Man at the Circus, who would normally be sticking his head in the mouth of a lion. In this case, Ku is "wrestling" a leopard shark. He wears a wrestling leotard with tiger stripes on it, and has a tattoo of a roaring tiger on his arm. On that same arm, he has a leather band of tiger teeth to show his triumphs.
The title of the painting. "Lucha Tigre", is Spanish for "Tiger Fight" or Tiger Wrestler". In this case, Ku is the Tiger, and he is wrestling an undersea "Leopard".
Other circus themes abound. Behind him, like an elephant balancing on a drum, as well as a seal balancing a ball on his nose, is an elephant seal, balancing a Japanese fishing float on his big schnozz.
A purple Octopus plays "calliope" on a "Pipe Organ" coral, producing bubbles instead of circus music. He wears a Chum bucket on his head like a Fez. (This is also a tribute to the local Southern California Surf Guitar musician, Adrien Anthony, from the band CHUM, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly during the production of his latest album. RIP, Adrien, buddy, you will aways be missed. The clownfish in the anemone he grasps as his calliope stool expresses his sorrow for the loss of our friend).)
Clownfish abound, just like the comedians of the circus, hiding in an out of their natural protectors, the colorful sea anemones on the ocean floor. One clownfish dares to peek into the gaping chasm of the shark mouth, a place he would never dare enter without the protection of Ku.
A Lionfish tries to defend his Leopard shark pal (And ocean feline comrade) by biting the ankle of our hero, Ku. Is Ku grimacing because he is using all of his strength to subdue the shark, or from the sharp pain of tiny teeth digging into his achilles heel?
A marching band of Zebra Seahorses dances triumphantly past the scene to excite the circus "crowds". The parade is lead by a Major who proudly carries a baton (a Q-tip) and who wears a toothpaste cap as his Major Helmut. (A nod to the human trash found at the bottom of the sea). All the Zebra seahorses are focused on the march...except for junior, who is more interested to look back and see if the lionfish will take down his foe.
Just like a child spectator, a brine shrimp has climbed the mini stairway of Ku's dreads to watch the "sideshow", and get a closeup of the grimacing face of the mighty Strongman, as well as look into the menacing, toothy mouth of the shark. Normally, a "shrimp" avoids a muscle-man and the monsters of the sea, but here at the Undersea Circus, he becomes the willing and curious audience, and even carries a fishing bobber as a balloon.
Above Ku's head, a school of fish performs tricks and forms a figure eight.
This painting is #8 in my Tiki Tarot Painting Series that will total 78 pieces when completed. In Tarot, #8 symbolizes the Strength Card, in the Major Arcana. The symbol is depicted as an person subduing a lion by opening his mouth. In Tarot mythology, the number 8 represents the Infinite Strength of the Immortal Spirit, and lies on its side in it's depiction as an infinity symbol.
Enjoy this intricate and fun painting of the Lucha Tigre!
All prints are printed ON DEMAND. It takes one week to process: place the order at the printer, get printed, and packagied for shipping. Shipping and handling may take up to one week. Expect TWO WEEKS from the date of placing your order to receiving your print.
International shipping can be calculated per destination.
Please see my other pages for other pieces painted by me.
Mahalo!
