Standing Bear

My love for animals, especially bears, runs deep. Bears are the creatures everyone dreams of seeing yet dreads encountering on a hiking trail. They're the elusive dark shadow you think you spot around the corner after hearing leaves crunching, only to discover it’s just a tiny squirrel.

This piece, standing 45" tall and 15" wide, is carved from a stunning slab of 1" thick maple. Using pyrography, I burned the lines into the wood, then enhanced the details with colored pencils and paint.

What makes this piece truly captivating is the fascinating relationship between the bear and its wooden canvas. The three "live" edges, a distinctive feature, not only add depth and character but also naturally frame the composition, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the scene.