Bear 3 - Grounded - Original Art - 148 Bears Project

Bear #3 in the 148 Bears Project. 
Each bear in this project is either based on a real bear in the rescue we work with, or based on the empowerment of a bear.

This bear will for some reason be one of the hardest to say good bye to. I have no idea what makes a favourite, but this one, with it's kind and compassionate and deeply deeply thoughtful eyes, seems to call me back to myself with the greatest of ease. This bear reminds me of that almost mythical moment when you are out in the forest and you happen upon a grizzly, but with more than enough distance for both of you to know the other is there, and neither to feel threatened. You can watch them amble through a meadow; well fed, sun on their back and in absolutely no hurry. That feeling is one of my all time favourites. Both terrifying, and not. Soothing, and not. Nothing quite like it. 

For more on the project read below. 

Welcome to the 148 Bear project. It’s an odd number right? In 2017 a bear I had grown quite attached to, called Bear 148, was shot by a hunter after a relocation to BC. She had gained quite a lot of notoriety for her familiarity with humans in the parks, roaming around Canmore and Banff, watching sports be played in the soccer fields. She had hundreds, literally hundreds of interactions with humans that were non-threatening, and was shipped off and then hunted. In my opinion Bear 148 is a symbol for our failure to interact with bears in any other way other than as a threat or as waste. Grizzlies are gorgeous, powerful creatures, and deserve to share the forests and land with both the respect and admiration that is due to them. I will be painting 148 bears, from Black to Spirit to Grizzly to Polar bear, because I feel like all these creatures speak to the critical state humanity has reached, regarding having a life of connection with the other creatures that bless us with their presence on this planet. Bear 148 was a gorgeous and peaceful bear, and she will be the 148^th painting in this process.

This beautiful painting is a rather grand 24" x 24" with a 1.5" gallery canvas edge. It is a wood based canvas, painted with a thick mix of acrylic, gesso, and uv gloss to create that beautiful bold depth and captivating colour blends. This piece -although gorgeous in photo - is still far more remarkable to behold in person.

**Original Art is priced with Shipping and handling included anywhere in North America. If you are International please message the team at erin@greenanimalproject.com to get pricing beforehand.