Artist Statement

"Bearly Possible" by Cynthia Metsker

New to Western North Carolina, I am intrigued by the presence and character of black bears in the state. Capturing an image of one was a fun challenge, as drawing black animals is not easy. I chose to leave part of the drawing unfinished to represent the reflection of sun on the bear’s head and back. I also used pinks and blues amid the black to bring out some of the details in the bear’s fur. My hope is that the playful use of and lack of pigment creates a whimsical feel to a portrait of a sometimes goofy animal.