It is surprising that an object can sit around your home for years, is seen, but nothing clicks until out of the blue, you see it as an interesting still life painting. This happened with me and this old lion head door knocker. This knocker was owned and used by my in-laws who lived in the Old Town area of Chicago, Illinois. This home was an old carriage house that was enclosed by a high brick wall. Inside the wall was a lovely, private patio area and entry to the patio and their home was through a heavy, locked wooden gate. This lion head knocker was how visitors on the outside of the gate were heard. When they passed away, this was an item that had special meaning to us. This colored pencil painting is based on a photograph that I took of the knocker. It is entitled "Cast in Gold". It is done on Grafix drafting film using Farber-Castell Polychromos pencils. The size of the artwork is 11 X 14 inches. We all have subject matter for art right in our own homes. You just have to open your eyes and look. Enjoy.