Eastern Mountain Lion

20" x 40" Oil Painting on Canvas

Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have many found memories of visiting my Aunt Vicki, Uncle Greg, cousin Harley, Great Aunt Sue, and Great Uncle Lim up in State College. I also grew up learning early on that Penn State University was the place to aspire to attend once we kids were all grown up and ready to go to college. Many family members and friends of mine attended the university -- including my Ya-Ya! Ya-Ya had attended Penn State University BEFORE it was Penn State University, in fact -- back when it was called Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute! The Nittany Lion is the mascot of this school and upon research of this beautiful animal, I learned that they are officially categorized as "extinct." I would hope this is not absolutely true... but if in fact they are, our future generations will know of their existence perhaps through old photographs, our accounts of encounters passed down through history, and our artwork of these beautiful animals that once walked the Earth.