Fear no Bear

I just did a couple small bear studies. I’ve often dreamed of bears, particularly if I’m going through a time in my life when I’m facing “fears of the unknown”. I enjoyed doing these little paintings as a way of acknowledging the bear as symbol of these fears.

Outside my dreams, I’m not actually that frightened of bears. But I think it’s because they’re big, black, live often hidden in the dark forest (except in Cumberland) that causes them to come to life in dreams. However, I find once I am able to name my fears, or tell them to leave, they lose their power – the bear walks away.