"Zula" means the total relaxation of the body and soul, almost in a sense of feeling high. No word is better for this little lioness, lost in sweet dreams at golden hour. This original oil painting on wood panel is gilded with metal leaf. It’s golden sides gleam from every angle and make a special statement in any room.

Gillian Lahav

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Hello! I’m a self-taught artist based in in Toronto. My paintings are inspired by magic in the natural world, featuring slumbering animals and lush plants set in golden light. I paint on locally made wood panels, layering oils and metal leaf over exposed wood grain to achieve organic scenes with lots of movement. A hiker and former archaeologist, I look to wild plants, antique treasures, and sleepy house cats for colours and compositions that speak to me. My recent series Golden Hour (2023) and Ephemeral (2024) invite rest and indulgence, referencing feminine figures in Art Nouveau, the rich warmth of Klimt's Golden Phase, and the mysticism of Pre-Raphaelite dream scenes. I hope this imagery will evoke for viewers the rich warmth and energy of golden hour, that fleeting time of day when the sun casts its most magical spell. ✨