Signature series ~ Gyptian

Artist: Mundy Hackett
previous browse art next

Print: from US$42.75

Signature series ~ Gyptian

American mountain lion, aka cougar aka puma.

TIP JAR: IF YOU LIKE MY WORK SUPPORT ME WITH ANY AMOUNT YOU WISH

RAFFLE ITEMS HERE

Part of my NEW SIGNATURE SERIES that utilizes the painterly effects of photoshop combined with the emotive scenes of the natural world to create a visual feast for all discriminating art lovers! Because of the signature this line will not be available as cards, I apologize about this but I have the same shots available for purchase as cards but without a signature. They can be located by browsing my portfolio. This line will continue my broad efforts to promote awareness and raise funds for endangered species globally. One half of all net proceeds (50%) are going to The Cougar Fund

MORE SIGNATURE SERIES EDITIONS
Those who may prefer a more traditional photograph can view the original image by going HERE

“Puma concolor:
The Latin name for the cat of many names

Cougar. Catamount. Painter. Panther. Ghost cat. Puma. Mountain lion.

In speaking of the many names of cougar, one folktale tells the story of Native Americans who would bring pelts to trade in what is now New York City. When the Europeans and white settlers would question why all only skins of females (given the lack of manes) were brought for trade, the Native Americans explained that the males lived far away in the mountains, playing a joke of sorts on the naïve newcomers—this is why cougars, who are not specific to mountain regions at all, came to be known as “mountain lions”.

The etymological history of the word cougar comes from French naturalist-explorer Count Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon, who called Puma concolor “cuougar”. This usage was derived from the Brazilian Portugese word cuguacuarana, which in turn came from the Tupi Indian word susuarana, which means “false deer”. We find that this word aptly captures the international allure and cross-cultural nature of the species, while distinguishing our organization from a popular brand of athletic shoes—Puma.

Erie as in Erie Canal, Erie Street and Erie Boulevard were named after Lake Erie which in turn was named after the Indian people who lived along the lake’s southern shore, an area where cougars were abundant. The cougars there were called Erielhonan, meaning “long tail” and the Native Americans living there were called Erie or Cat Nation. In 1600, some 14,000 Eries lived in villages between what is now Buffalo, NY and Sandusky, Ohio. In 1656, the Erie were almost exterminated by the Iroquois League. The surviving captives were either adopted or enslaved.

Symbolism, Lore and Native American Experience with Cougar

“Ghostwalker”

The spirit of the Cougar chose to take the earth and walk as a spiritual hunter, to teach unconditional leadership, patience and determination.

“The strengths they represent have a powerful lesson for those that are willing to learn from them” -Nancy Wood Taber, artist

According to animal totem lore, cougar is the energy of leadership. If we listen to Cougar we learn to become the leader that people follow by choice, not by force. Cougar has the wisdom to lead through love, not through fear. Cougar is a take-charge totem or energy. Cougar people are such natural leaders that others tend to take their leadership for granted. If no one else is leading, cougar will naturally take over. Cougar is graceful and balances intention, strength and responsibility. Others are always safe when cougar is in charge.

The cougar is very elusive and is rarely encountered in the wild. Because of this quality, cougar can appear without being noticed and quietly take control of a situation. Sometimes this can lead to conflict with others over territory. It is often noted as an animal that is independent, shy and withdrawn. The same characteristics are often found in people with this medicine.

Cougar is associated with leadership and teaches decisiveness in the use of personal power. When it attacks it does not hesitate. When threatened it goes for the most vulnerable place. Cougar is not often allowed to show vulnerability.

True leadership through gentle assertiveness is what cougar teaches those with this totem. Cougar people are often very sure of themselves, not taking any unnecessary steps or exerting any extra energy beyond what is required of them to achieve their goal. Most cougars learn by trial and error, which strengthens them and hones their skills. In life, cougar people may find that others will not like these assertions. Cougar people mustn’t allow others to keep them stationary—cougar people stretch their muscles and show their capabilities. Those with the cougar medicine are often attacked by others, especially by those who have grown comfortable with the status quo and do not wish to see those who have this totem grow. Even still, they may never admit when a cougar person does grow.

A cougar will leap at opportunities. Those with cougar medicine take control of their life and circumstances most effectively.”

~Excerpt from The Cougar Fund

The Eastern cougar, native to states in North America East of the MIssissippi River, is gone from over 99% of it’s range and is listed as an endangered species of critical status.

Carolyn Staut, 2 months ago

Beautifully done and brilliant composition.
Mundy Hackett, 2 months ago

Thank you Carolyn
Jo Hopgood, 2 months ago

Stunning, absolutely stunning
Anthony Comella, 2 months ago

Wonderful all around! Cheers!
Mundy Hackett in reply to Jo Hopgood’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks so much Jo
Mundy Hackett in reply to Anthony Comella’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks Anthony!
photoeyes, 2 months ago

Very beautiful Mundy, you are so good at shooting animals.
Mundy Hackett in reply to photoeyes’s comment, 2 months ago

Thanks Marianne, and you have been churning out some mighty fine imagery yourself lately! I hope you are feeling better and ready for springtime!
bertspix, 2 months ago

Hi Mundy: A most beautiful image of a beautiful animal…Great work…Bert
Mundy Hackett in reply to bertspix’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you Bert
adgray, 2 months ago

OH Mundy you coloured her exquisitely!
My mind has a zillion stories milling about in it now and one is about your tiger cub
and these gorgeous images you are creating!
Don’t now when but one day it will bubble out of me!
Thank you!
adgray, 2 months ago

But the big shot is cutting over the writing and I cant read it! <(
Yvonne Emerson, 2 months ago

AWESOME Treatment!
Mundy Hackett in reply to adgray’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you!
Mundy Hackett in reply to Yvonne Emerson’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you!
Mundy Hackett, 2 months ago
adgray, 2 months ago

Thank you Mundy! :o)
She really is beautiful!
I love the colours you’ve chosen.
I love all your work
Thank you ~ adg xox
Joseph Valcourt, 2 months ago

stunning work
Aveen Ismail, 2 months ago

brillent work.. awsome ..
Cheri McEachin, 2 months ago

Very cool looking, you are the fract boy!..:)
ferndesign, 2 months ago

what a great capture well taken
Julie Langford, 2 months ago

Stunning shot Mundy – very powerful with superb clarity
Marita McVeigh, 2 months ago

so regal!
kcranmer, 2 months ago

Ohhhhh so fantastic…the color here just pops!
J.K. York, 2 months ago

stunning portrait. the light is fantastic. you have a great feel for capturing the character of animals my friend. bravo.
Jocelyn Hyers, 2 months ago

absolutely stunning … brings out the best in the puma …
Mundy Hackett, 2 months ago

Thanks everyone!
Geir Floede, 2 months ago

A realy great shot. Likes.
Maximus, 2 months ago

Mundy, all I can say about your work is “stunning” but that doesn’t seem enough. :)
Mundy Hackett, 2 months ago

Thank you Geir and Max, appreciate it!
Sean Farragher, 2 months ago

fantastic
Dennis Rubin IPA, 2 months ago

Fine capture, Mundy
photos40, 2 months ago

Just a beautiful capture. Lovely profile.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pinkyjain, 2 months ago

So stunning & wonderful. Awwwwwesome!!!!!!!
Michael Kloepping, 2 months ago

simply awesome!!
machandel, 2 months ago

Besides the beautiful animal I like the explanations you give.
WesternDreamer, 2 months ago

The effects you have applied to this sure do make this quite wonderful, a beautiful creation of a beautiful mountain lion!!
Carmen Mandel-..., 2 months ago

A true beauty by herself in either fantastic version. Thank you for adding this beautiful profile along your pledge to Art for Conservation.
whisperingruth, 2 months ago

A definite fav Mundy….........LOVE your charity you’re supporting!!
Lee Grissett, 2 months ago

beautiful! Excellent artistic effects
Alyson Pearson, 2 months ago

what a gorgeous shot!
just beautifully composed and lovely colours :)
Angelina Cornidez, 2 months ago

Very nice work, looks so peaceful
emmz, 2 months ago

stunning
TriciaDanby, 2 months ago

She is a beauty :)
Gorgeous art!
Siamesecat, 2 months ago

lord have mercy.. what a klitty, I want one right NOW.. Love Cougars.. In fact i love all cats big and small..
PS: i wonder if this one is the famous SNAGLLE PUS… You know the cartoon character that used to say EXIT STAGE LEFT EVEN, and HEVENS TO MERCTROID etc…
jacqi, 2 months ago

What a beautiful animal!
rubes, 2 months ago

This is stunning. What beautiful color and composition. What a glorious creature. I love this.
Mundy Hackett, 2 months ago

Thank you Jacqi and Rubes!
sasha, about 1 month ago

That’s one beautiful cougar