Monstrous is just something that the permanent is or isn't. Changing forms or what something is copying doesn't affect if a creature is monstrous or not.
In the case of 1, you can activate the ability. But since the Artisan Lion is already monstrous, no counters will be added when the ability resolves.
In the case of 2, once the Artisan becomes a copy of the Lion, since the Artisan Lion is monstrous, it will be indestructible and have hexproof.
Nathan Long
DCI Level 2 Judge
Wizards.Com Boards NetRep
Edited Nathan Long (Oct. 1, 2013 01:27:24 PM)