Artist: Lovetta Reyes-Cairo
Title: Protector of Curiosity
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 9x12 in. (11x15 in.)
Artist Statement: 
Children are naturally curious. They eagerly and innocently want to learn. As we get older, there is a temptation to replace natural curiosity with the need to impress other people. If we are not careful, learning can become synonymous with passing tests and getting grades. I recently read "The Chronicles of Narnia" with my children and the lion protector has been showing up in my art. In this painting, the lion snuggles around a young reader and protects his curiosity.