Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/769056
162 • S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S H istory will eventually decide where Banovich belongs in the list of wildlife artists, but all of the greats not only master their craft through years of sweat and blood and failure, but they find a way to capture on canvas something far beyond a detailed recreation of an animal's physical characteristics. They find a way to harness the essence of a creature and share it with others in a way that inspires them to not only see the art but to react to it. Early on in life, Banovich discovered two truths about himself— he was meant to be an artist and he was meant to paint wild animals. He had always been drawn to Africa and the unharnessed wildness it represents, but it was only after visiting and staring into the eyes of a real wild lion that he realized a certain kinship existed with it that he may never fully understand. He would, however, embrace it and begin a journey with Africa and with lions that would last the rest of his life. For Banovich, an Africa without lions would not be Africa because it would be missing its soul. Banovich's art reveals a deep understanding of wild beasts and the places they live. Whether it is elephants, leopards, bears, moose, lions or any of the world's mega fauna that he's been drawn to, it is apparent these creatures are more to him than simply subjects to paint. He understands, better than most, that they are a part of him. And so he paints them. He paints them because for artists like Banovich, to not paint them would lead him down that path far too many of us find ourselves following. It is a path of settling. We settle for what is easiest or what makes us the most money or what gives us the most short-term pleasure. We settle for cut-rate versions of ourselves. But Banovich refuses to settle, because his soul belongs to Africa and he shares the heart of Africa's most iconic beast. And the lion never settles. n Here, Banovich captures two scenes typical of the African veldt. In Hail to the King, these zebras have "read" the body language of a lion, realizing it is not on the hunt and allowing it to stroll by close to their ranks. Game of Lions captures the intense competition over a kill between the big cats and other predators.