The Accidental Monarch, painting of a pelican on a turtle, animal art, painting about wealth and inheritance, art with theater curtain, art with compass, painting meaning money and security, art about building a business, orange tree art, treasure chest art, art with jewels and crown, painting of bird, magic realism art of birds, royalty art, painting of war medals, painting with clouds, green grass, surreal art about enthusiasm, painting of pearls, painting with nature, peaceful art, painting of the earth, soulful uplifting inspirational art, soul stirring illusion art, romantic art,  surrealism, surreal art, dreamlike imagery, fanciful art, fantasy art, dreamscape visual, metaphysical art, spiritual painting, metaphysical painting, spiritual art, whimsical art, whimsy art, dream art, fantastic realism art, limited edition giclee, signed art print, fine art reproduction, original magic realism oil painting by Paul Bond

In my mid 50’s, due to the generosity of relatives (symbolized by the ‘inherited’ jewelry chest) and my own hard work and determination in building my art career (the slow, steady turtle and fruiting orange tree), I suddenly found myself with a modest investment portfolio. The novelist Tom Robbins once wrote, “there is a certain Buddhistic calm that comes from having money in the bank”. And while true, I also discovered something unexpected. Under that calm was a new worry – a new possession to protect. Market collapses, real estate downturns, global plagues… how do they effect my bottom line? A good problem to have, for sure. Yet I created this somber self-portrait as a reminder to stay on track (as represented by the compass) in not making life choices out of fear of what I might lose. But always, always choosing the path of joy as my ultimate guide.

The Accidental Monarch

24 x 24 - Oil on Canvas - Sold, Private Collection