Griffin #2, print 2024 of original drawing, drawing, abstract, contemporary, modern,fantasy, Greek mythology, Griffin, pencil, black and white

This piece is a beautifully shaded print from an original drawing by artist, Elizabeth Stempien.
The original artwork was drawn and meticulously shaded in graphite and pencil, and printed on high quality, acid free, lightly textured 110 lb. weight paper.
This piece was inspired by my interest and fascination with mythical creatures, specifically the Griffin, in Greek mythology. The term, Griffin, is from the Latin Gryphus, meaning “curved,” referring to the beak of the Griffin. This mythical creature encompasses the head, beak, and wings of an eagle (the king of birds), and the body, back legs and tail of a lion (the king of the beasts.) Griffins were frequently used as gargoyles on medieval churches and buildings. The Griffin was also a 2024 favorite decorative motif in ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures.
I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did creating it!