lion

by Bill Tiepelman

Sunset Whiskers of Joy

The Roar Before the Nap There once was a tiger cub named Kip. Not King Kip. Not Sir Kip. Just... Kip. And Kip had opinions. About everything. The jungle, for starters, was absolutely not up to his standards. "Too pokey," he would complain, tripping dramatically over a vine. "Too loud," he grumbled at the squawking parrots like a tiny, judgmental old man. And the sun? Oh, the sun was personally trying to ruin his life. "Rude," he declared every morning when it dared to rise directly into his sleepy eyes. But tonight — oh, tonight was different. The sunset was a warm golden hug across the treetops. Kip could feel it. Something was building. Energy. Mischief. Drama. The world, for one shining moment, was about to revolve around him — and honestly, about time. With a wobbly little stretch of his fuzzy arms, Kip stood up on his hind legs. He wasn’t exactly built for this. Tiny paws wiggled in the air like confused baby stars. His tail flicked like a metronome set to 'sass.' "Look at me!" Kip roared — which, to anyone else, sounded a lot like an aggressive sneeze mixed with a hiccup. "I AM THE JOY. I AM THE SUNSET. I AM... HUNGRY." But there was no stopping him now. He squeezed his little eyes shut in absolute, dramatic glee. A grin stretched across his face like a stripe of moonlight. Tongue out. Teeth sharp. Tiny bean-paw pads flexed with raw, feral delight. Somewhere, a very serious owl judged him from a tree branch. But Kip didn’t care. He was, for this one perfect moment, the undisputed king of nonsense. The wild prince of sunset silliness. And absolutely, positively... ready to cause problems on purpose. And maybe... just maybe... ready for a snack. The Snack Attack Chronicles Kip had peaked. He knew it. There he stood — still awkwardly on his hind legs like some unholy mix of majestic jungle predator and undercooked breadstick — bathed in sunset glory. Oh, the drama. The pageantry. The glow of absolute nonsense radiating off his fur like he was the headline act in nature’s most unhinged musical. But reality, as it often does, came clawing back with one simple, inconvenient truth. "Snack. Need snack. Must acquire snack," Kip whispered with the raw intensity of someone who had once tried to eat a decorative rock out of boredom. (It had not gone well. He still wasn’t over it.) The problem was... the jungle was being difficult again. Everything edible was either too fast, too spiky, or — in one outrageous case — capable of biting back. Kip had opinions about that too. "If snacks don’t want to be eaten," he grumbled to himself, stomping in a very non-threatening way, "then maybe they should stop looking like snacks. Rude." He slumped dramatically into a patch of soft moss, sighing the sigh of someone who was absolutely starving despite eating six lizards and half a papaya earlier. His tiny tiger belly gurgled in betrayal. "Unbelievable. This is a crisis." And that’s when it happened. Rustle. Rustle. CRUNCH. Kip’s ears perked up so fast they practically levitated. His entire body tensed like a wound-up spring of fluffy disaster. His inner monologue hit maximum overthink: Is that food? Is that dangerous food? Is it snack-shaped? Snack-adjacent? Snack-adjacent-with-fangs? Do I care? No. He launched himself — with all the grace of a wet sock — directly into the bushes. What he found there would change the trajectory of his evening forever. It was not a snake. Not a lizard. Not even a stray jungle fruit (which, to be honest, were becoming a little tedious anyway). It was... a troop of tiny, wide-eyed monkeys. And they were eating — wait for it — cookies. Jungle cookies. The good kind. Sweet, sticky, questionably sourced, possibly stolen from some absent-minded forest traveler. Kip could barely handle it. His brain short-circuited. I want it. One of the monkeys noticed him. It paused mid-bite. A single crumb fell in slow motion. For a heartbeat, the whole jungle held its breath. Kip did not. "HELLO YES IT IS I," he announced in full uninvited-main-character mode. "I WILL BE TAKING YOUR COOKIES NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE." The monkeys blinked. Kip blinked. No one moved. Then — utter chaos. Monkeys scattered like confetti at a party he wasn’t technically invited to (but absolutely considered himself the guest of honor). Kip, driven by sugar-lust and absolute goblin energy, gave chase. He zigged. He zagged. He rolled dramatically down a small hill because apparently his legs had never done cardio before. But in the end — oh, the glorious end — a single, sticky cookie was left behind. Forgotten. Abandoned. His prize. He pounced. Victory tasted like questionable jungle molasses and adventure. Also, dirt. But mostly victory. With a self-satisfied flop onto his back, Kip cradled the cookie between his tiny paws, sighing deeply like a creature who had just survived a great battle — against himself, mostly. The sun dipped below the trees. The sky melted into purples and golds. The jungle exhaled. And Kip, the bratty, chaotic, ridiculous little prince of his own nonsense universe, whispered to no one in particular: "I am the joy. I am the sunset. I am... absolutely not sharing." And for once — no one argued.     Epilogue: His Royal Crumbliness Later — much later — long after the sunset had melted into twilight and the jungle was whispering its nighttime secrets, Kip was still awake. He was lying belly-up in a soft nest of moss, paws splayed, crumbs everywhere. Cookie crumbs in his whiskers. Cookie crumbs in his ear fluff. Cookie crumbs in places cookie crumbs simply should not be. Did he regret anything? Absolutely not. Was he mildly stuck to the moss like a forgotten jungle marshmallow? ...Also yes. But that was future Kip’s problem. Present Kip was far too pleased with himself to care. He gazed lazily at the stars poking through the canopy, imagining — with the full delusional confidence only a baby tiger can possess — that they were twinkling just for him. "Royalty," he whispered smugly to a particularly judgmental cricket nearby. "Absolute royalty." The cricket did not reply. Somewhere in the distance, the monkey troop plotted cookie security upgrades. Somewhere else, the serious owl shook its head and muttered something about "today’s youth." But Kip? Kip smiled in his sleep, his tiny tail twitching in dreams of snacks, sunsets, and being exactly — gloriously — too much. Long may he reign.     Bring Kip's Joy Into Your World If Kip’s wild little adventure made you grin (or if you, too, have a chaotic snack-loving spirit), you can bring a piece of his sunset joy into your space. Sunset Whiskers of Joy by Bill and Linda Tiepelman is available as a range of stunning products — perfect for gifting, decorating, or just treating yourself to a little everyday magic. Soft Tapestries — Wrap your walls (or yourself) in Kip’s golden glow. Metal Prints — For bold spaces that deserve a bold little tiger prince. Fleece Blankets — Maximum cozy. Maximum Kip energy. Bath Towels — Because why shouldn’t your towel be as dramatic as you? Greeting Cards — Share a little joy (or sass) with someone who needs it. Shop the full collection and bring Kip’s cheeky little roar into your world: View All Sunset Whiskers of Joy Products.

by Bill Tiepelman

Roar of Balance: A Lion Split by the Elements

A Roar for New Beginnings New Year’s Eve—the one night of the year when everyone collectively agrees that life is chaos, but champagne makes it tolerable. I stood at the edge of a party where glitter clung to every surface, like hope refusing to let go. My “resolution list” was shoved in my pocket, but honestly, it was more of a suggestion box for the universe: ‘Lose weight, gain money, and stop texting my ex when drunk.’ Lofty goals, considering I was three flutes of Prosecco deep and eyeing a fourth. The clock read 11:18 PM. I still had time to reflect, as people always say you should. But who reflects during a party? The DJ was blasting a remix of songs no one admitted to liking, and the bartender looked like he was seconds away from throwing a cocktail shaker at someone. My kind of chaos. “What’s your big resolution this year?” came a voice beside me. I turned to see an old friend—or maybe just an acquaintance I liked enough to vaguely remember. “Same as last year,” I said, shrugging. “Stop making resolutions I’ll fail at.” They laughed like I was kidding, but I wasn’t. Resolutions, in my opinion, are just an annual to-do list for people who will inevitably break promises to themselves by February. It’s tradition. Midnight Approaches By 11:45 PM, the party had reached the inevitable “philosophical drunk” stage. Groups of people gathered in corners, debating whether time was real or if pineapple on pizza could ruin friendships. Somewhere near the snack table, someone had spilled a drink, and another person was trying to “clean it up” by pouring more champagne on it. Ah, the circle of life. For my part, I found myself at a balcony, staring at the city lights below. The air was cold, sharp against my cheeks, and I loved it. Out here, away from the noise, I could almost feel the weight of the moment—the quiet pressure to say goodbye to one year and welcome the next like they weren’t just arbitrary lines drawn on the calendar. Time, after all, is as real as my commitment to “cut carbs.” “Heavy thoughts?” a voice said behind me. It was my friend again—or the acquaintance, whatever. They handed me a glass of something suspiciously clear. Probably vodka. “Just thinking about how this year’s ending exactly the way it started,” I said, taking a sip. “A drink in my hand and no idea what I’m doing.” “Hey, consistency is underrated,” they replied, clinking their glass against mine. “But seriously, don’t tell me you’re one of those people who hates New Year’s. It’s like, the one night we’re allowed to be ridiculous and hopeful at the same time.” I raised an eyebrow. “Hopeful? That’s a stretch. We’re all just pretending not to notice that life is basically a flaming dumpster fire on wheels.” “Yeah, but it’s our flaming dumpster fire,” they said with a grin. “And who doesn’t love a good bonfire?” The Countdown By 11:58 PM, the room was a cacophony of shouts, laughter, and last-minute hookups. The DJ counted down prematurely twice, earning boos from the crowd. Someone handed me a party horn, which I immediately lost, and a glass of champagne, which I definitely did not. The final moments of the year felt like standing on the edge of a cliff—exciting and terrifying, with just a hint of vertigo. As the countdown began, I felt the strange mix of emotions that always hit me this time of year: relief, regret, and a little bit of that stupid, ridiculous hope my acquaintance had talked about. “Ten! Nine! Eight!” People screamed, jumped, and spilled drinks with abandon. Couples leaned in for their midnight kiss, while the singles pretended not to care. Someone in the back was already crying, but whether it was from joy or existential dread was anyone’s guess. “Three! Two! One!” The room erupted in chaos. Glasses clinked, strangers hugged, and the DJ finally got the timing right. Fireworks exploded outside, lighting up the sky in flashes of gold, red, and blue. For a moment, everything felt possible. A Roar for the Future And then, in true New Year’s fashion, reality reasserted itself. Someone tripped over the speaker cables, cutting the music. The guy who’d been crying earlier was now full-on sobbing. I watched as a drunk partygoer attempted to scale the balcony railing, only to be dragged back by their friends, who were laughing so hard they couldn’t stand straight. I stayed in my corner, sipping my champagne and feeling... oddly okay. Sure, the year had been a mess. Sure, I hadn’t accomplished half the things I’d set out to do. But in that moment, watching the madness unfold around me, I realized something: nobody really knows what they’re doing. We’re all just stumbling through, hoping for the best and bracing for the worst. And somehow, that’s comforting. The acquaintance-turned-friend joined me again, holding two glasses of whatever the bartender was giving away for free. “Happy New Year,” they said, raising their glass. “Here’s to whatever comes next.” I smiled, clinking my glass against theirs. “Here’s to surviving the flaming dumpster fire.” And with that, the New Year began—messy, chaotic, and full of potential. Just the way I like it.     Bring Roar of Balance Into Your Space Love the duality and power captured in "Roar of Balance"? You can now bring this stunning design into your home or workspace with our exclusive product offerings. Choose from a variety of high-quality items to match your style: Tapestry: Transform your walls into a statement of fire and life with this striking tapestry. Canvas Print: Add an elegant touch to your decor with a vibrant canvas print of this artwork. Throw Pillow: Make your living space cozy and bold with a throw pillow featuring this dynamic design. Fleece Blanket: Wrap yourself in the comfort of balance with a fleece blanket showcasing this powerful image. Click on the links to explore each product and bring "Roar of Balance" into your world. It’s not just art—it’s a conversation starter and a reminder of nature’s striking duality.

by Bill Tiepelman

Burning Cold Majesty

The world had never known a lion like him. His name was Nyaro, whispered in reverent tones across the savannah, a creature caught between two elements, two worlds, two hearts. Those who saw him spoke of a gaze that pierced the soul. One eye smoldered like molten gold, fierce as a desert sun, while the other shimmered like a cold, crystalline lake beneath a winter sky. Fire and ice. Rage and calm. The elements fused within him, held together by a heart that beat with ancient purpose. Nyaro wasn’t born like this. He was once an ordinary lion, or as close to ordinary as a king of the wild could be. But destiny had marked him for something beyond the scope of nature’s usual path. As a young cub, he had been daring, fearless, running headfirst into storms, staring into the sun, challenging any animal that crossed his path. Yet he had also known deep, unexpected tenderness—his heart filled with a curious compassion that no one could explain. He would crouch silently near the dens of other creatures, watching over their young with a protective gaze, or drink at the same waterhole as gazelles, not hunting but simply sharing the land, as if aware of the delicate threads connecting all life. Then, on the night of the great eclipse, everything changed. The sky darkened, and the sun and moon locked together in a cosmic embrace. Beneath the shifting heavens, Nyaro found himself drawn to an ancient, hidden grove, its entrance veiled by dense vines and silence. As he stepped into the grove, a strange energy filled the air, an electric tension that made his fur stand on end. In the heart of the grove lay a pool, half-shadowed, half-lit, its waters a shimmering duality of gold and ice-blue, swirling with a mesmerizing rhythm. Unable to resist, Nyaro leaned down to drink, and the moment his muzzle touched the water, his body was seized with a shattering force. Fire poured into his veins, searing through him, a blaze that felt both excruciating and oddly familiar. In the next instant, an icy chill followed, freezing his insides, sharpening his senses until he felt every snowflake in his mind. He roared—a sound that echoed across the plains, causing predators and prey alike to pause and tremble. When he finally lifted his head, he knew he was no longer the lion he had been. His body bore the mark of transformation—his mane was now a tumultuous blend of flames and frost, each half flickering with the energy of its respective element. His dual-colored eyes glowed with a strange, primal knowledge. The creatures of the land began to whisper of him as a legend reborn, a being who embodied the two most powerful forces of nature, forever at war yet in harmony within him. The Curse and the Blessing For years, Nyaro roamed the land, a living paradox. He was fierce, unstoppable, yet he had a patience and compassion that other lions could not fathom. He hunted only when he had to, sparing the young and the vulnerable, choosing his battles carefully. Those who challenged him—proud leopards, territorial hyenas, and even his own kind—were met with the fury of fire or the cutting chill of ice. He became both feared and revered, a god among beasts, his legend spreading far beyond the boundaries of his territory. But with this power came a profound loneliness. No lioness dared approach him, and even the wild would fall silent in his presence, as if nature itself was holding its breath. He began to feel the weight of his isolation, a gnawing emptiness that even his strength couldn’t quench. He missed the warmth of a pride, the joy of cubs tumbling around him, the comfort of companionship. But he was set apart now, forever bound to the extremes of fire and ice, a creature of solitude. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the land, he encountered a human woman by the river—a figure cloaked in the scent of herbs and earth, her face illuminated by the fading light. Unlike the others, she didn’t flinch or flee. Instead, she stood, her gaze meeting his, steady and unafraid. She spoke his name, not the name of a mere lion, but the one that the wind carried, that the land whispered: “Nyaro, the Burning Cold.” He approached her slowly, wary but curious. She spoke softly, her voice a balm, telling him stories of the world beyond, of the beauty and chaos in human lives. She spoke of love and loss, of fire and ice, of a strange yearning to understand the world’s mysteries. And Nyaro, for the first time, felt seen—truly seen. She reached out a hand, fingers brushing the fiery side of his mane, then the frozen strands on the other, her touch tender and fearless. The Parting of Elements In the days that followed, she returned to the river, and each time, he was there, waiting. They shared a bond that was beyond words, beyond the confines of their worlds, a silent understanding that transcended language. She called him her “burning cold majesty,” a term that felt both strange and right, as if she alone could see the twin powers that surged within him. But the world is a jealous keeper of its boundaries, and the elements themselves began to rebel. The flames within him burned hotter, demanding destruction, while the ice surged, freezing his heart to the very core. His body ached with the struggle of containing both forces. He knew the balance was slipping, that this bond with her had disturbed the delicate truce within him. On the final night, he found her waiting, sensing the end. She held his gaze, her eyes filled with sorrow and acceptance. “Nyaro,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I know what you are. You belong to the wild, to the fire and the frost. But know this—you are loved, in all your beauty and terror.” He roared, a sound filled with rage, sorrow, and longing, a cry that tore through the night. With one last look, he turned away, knowing he could not stay, knowing he would forever be alone in his burning cold majesty. The bond of fire and frost had been rekindled, a balance restored, but at the cost of the one thing he had found to be worth breaking it for. As he faded into the night, his heart smoldered with love that was both a searing flame and an eternal chill, a duality that would define him forever. And the land remembered Nyaro, the Burning Cold Majesty, as a myth, a story, a spirit of the wild. His legend lived on, a tale told around campfires, of the lion who held both fire and frost in his heart, a creature whose soul burned with a love as fierce as it was impossible, forever echoing in the solitude of the savannah.     Bring Nyaro’s Legend Home The story of Nyaro, the Burning Cold Majesty, resonates with the timeless power of duality and balance. If you’re captivated by the myth of this legendary lion and his tale of fire and frost, consider bringing a piece of his spirit into your own space. Celebrate the powerful imagery and symbolism of "Burning Cold Majesty" with these featured products: Tapestry - Transform any room with the striking artwork of Nyaro, capturing the raw energy of fire and ice in vivid detail. Puzzle - Piece together the fierce beauty of "Burning Cold Majesty" and immerse yourself in the harmony of elemental contrasts. Tote Bag - Carry the spirit of the wild with you, showcasing this mesmerizing artwork on a practical, stylish accessory. Coffee Mug - Start each day inspired, drinking from a mug that embodies strength, serenity, and the eternal balance of opposites. Each item celebrates Nyaro's journey and the beauty of the wild's most powerful elements, making it the perfect addition for lovers of nature, mythology, and the enigmatic magic of the animal kingdom.

by Bill Tiepelman

Burning Pride, Frozen Gaze

In a land where winter met the flames of the earth, a lion roamed—a creature of legend whose very presence unsettled the heart and quickened the blood. His mane was like no other, a tangle of fire and frost that defied the laws of nature. To the west, where volcanoes trembled beneath the surface, his mane blazed, his fur bristling with molten hues of orange and red. And to the east, where mountains whispered secrets beneath layers of snow, his mane shimmered with frost, each hair glistening as though dipped in the stars of a cold, endless night. He was called Eferon, the Elemental Guardian, though few dared speak his name. Legends said he was born from a rare moment when fire kissed ice—a rift in the world where two elements intertwined. The heavens had cast him into existence not as a mere beast, but as a balance between fury and calm, heat and chill, the rage of life and the hush of the void. A Hunter's Challenge In the villages that bordered the tundras and deserts, whispers of Eferon’s sightings spread like smoke. Hunters came from far and wide, lured by the tales, driven by pride, or simply tempted by the challenge. They said a single claw of his would bring strength to those who wielded it; his teeth, sharpened like razors, held the secret to conquering any enemy. Many believed that taking him down would grant them dominion over both flame and frost. One hunter, a man named Kael, was the boldest among them. Kael had grown up in the shadow of mountains, where he’d honed his skill against snow leopards, bears, and wolves. Yet none had ever proven a match for his spear. With his scars like badges and an ego hardened by victory, Kael decided that he would be the one to tame Eferon—or die trying. The Encounter It was on a night heavy with frost and fire that Kael finally found him. Or perhaps it was Eferon who found Kael. The lion stood at the edge of a volcanic plain, his eyes glowing like embers under the faint light of a winter’s moon. His mane shifted with an eerie beauty, flames licking and snapping at the air on one side, and crystalline frost sparkling on the other. His gaze, deep and unwavering, held Kael in place. It was not the gaze of an animal, but something far older, a look that held the weight of stars collapsing, of glaciers cracking, of civilizations rising and falling. Kael raised his spear. "I have come to claim your strength, Eferon. With your spirit, I will conquer all who stand before me." For a long, haunting moment, the lion simply stared. Then, as if the earth itself sighed, he spoke—not with words, but with a voice that reverberated through Kael’s bones and soul. "You seek strength, mortal, yet your heart is shackled by pride." Kael’s grip tightened, his knuckles white around the spear. "I have bested beasts fiercer than you." Eferon’s mane flared, the flames rising higher, while frost bloomed thicker on his other side, shimmering like a deathly, silent threat. "You do not understand. Pride is but fire without purpose, rage without resolve. To face me, you must master the silence as well as the storm." But Kael, deafened by ambition, lunged forward, thrusting his spear with every ounce of his strength. He was fast—faster than any mortal should have been. Yet Eferon was faster. A blur of shadow, light, fire, and frost, he moved like a memory, like an echo slipping just out of reach. The Battle of Fire and Frost They fought for hours. Kael’s strikes were relentless, his attacks deadly, but every time he came close, Eferon would evade him, responding only with quiet, deliberate force. His swipes grazed Kael, each one leaving burns or patches of frostbite, reminders of the beast’s dual nature. As the night wore on, Kael’s vision blurred, exhaustion sinking into his bones. Finally, with one last desperate effort, he hurled his spear, and it struck—lodging deep into Eferon’s side. Kael felt triumph surge within him as the lion staggered. Yet Eferon did not fall. Instead, he stood taller, his eyes blazing like molten gold. The frost in his mane sparkled with a deadly beauty, and the embers pulsed, crackling as though stoked by an unseen hand. "Pride has brought you this far," Eferon’s voice resounded, softer but unyielding. "But what will pride leave you with now?" Kael felt a chill unlike any he’d known seep into his chest. His heart pounded as he realized that his weapon—the one that had felled so many—was useless here. It was not strength that would defeat Eferon, nor skill, nor cunning. In that moment, he understood. Eferon was testing him, not in combat but in humility. Kael’s pride had driven him, but now it would be his undoing. The Surrender He dropped his weapon, lowering himself to his knees. "I was a fool. I sought your strength for myself, but I do not deserve it." The words tasted bitter, like ash and cold steel, but he spoke them nonetheless. For the first time, Eferon’s expression softened, a glimmer of approval flickering in his gaze. "True strength is found in balance, in knowing when to fight and when to yield. Fire rages, but ice endures." With a nod, Eferon closed his eyes, and the flames in his mane subsided, leaving only a quiet, gentle glow. The frost on his other side softened, blending with the warmth, until the two sides merged in a perfect harmony of warmth and coolness, a living embodiment of peace. Kael rose slowly, feeling lighter than he had in years. When he looked back up, Eferon was gone, his massive paw prints fading into the earth, leaving nothing but silence and starlight. The Legacy of Eferon In time, Kael became a legend himself, known not as the man who tamed Eferon, but as the hunter who laid down his spear and found strength in humility. He spoke of the lion with reverence, teaching others that true power lies not in domination but in balance, in courage tempered by compassion, in strength softened by wisdom. And on nights when the sky was clear, some swore they saw Eferon’s shadow prowling at the edge of the world—a reminder of the pride that burns within us all and the quiet strength that cools our raging flames.    Bring Eferon's Legacy into Your Space If the tale of "Burning Pride, Frozen Gaze" resonated with you, you can bring the powerful presence of Eferon into your own life. The stunning artwork that inspired this story is available in a variety of forms, each capturing the intense beauty and symbolism of the elemental lion. Whether you want to add a touch of fierce elegance to your decor, a symbol of balance to your personal items, or a meditative puzzle experience, explore these options: Tapestry – Let Eferon guard your walls with a vibrant tapestry that captures every fiery detail and frosty glint. Acrylic Print – Experience the artwork’s vivid colors and textures with an acrylic print that brings depth and clarity to every strand of the lion’s mane. Puzzle – Challenge yourself with a puzzle that reflects the balance of fire and ice, piece by piece revealing the strength and tranquility of the elemental lion. Tote Bag – Carry the story of Eferon with you in a stylish tote that embodies his enduring strength and grace, a reminder of inner balance and resilience. Discover these products and more in the "Burning Pride, Frozen Gaze" collection, and let this symbolic lion bring a touch of elemental beauty and inspiration into your world.