Bearfootin' in Downtown Hendersonville ~ Public Art

It's always an honor to create something lasting, something for a community, and something that will benefit an important organization. Recently I was involved in a public art project for downtown Hendersonville. Every year generous businesses sponsor a bear, team up with an artist to paint the bear with a decided theme, and put the bear out for display in the downtown. At the end of the season, in the Fall, the bears are auctioned off to benefit a community organization.

Sculpture of Bearfootin' Bear

This year I teamed up with Morris Broadband as my sponsor. With Morris Broadband being such a positive force in the community and an active supporter of the Arts, they chose the Arts Council of Henderson County as their organization to benefit from the auction.

I was very excited to receive the Mama Bear and Cub sculpture to paint, as I had just recently painted a similar painting of a bear and her baby.

The theme I chose to present on the sculpture was called "Together We Can", which I felt portrayed the community support and the arts, pulling in the aspects of Morris Broadband and the Arts Coyuncil of Henderson County.

"Together We Can...support one another.

Together We Can...support our community

Together We Can...support the Arts

Together We Can...make the world a more beautiful place"

Beginning of painting the Bearfootin' Bear

With that in mind I began painting the basis of the bears...shades of black, umber and honey brown on their noses, and details of the eyes.

Base coat on Bearfootin' Bear

Once the basis of the bears was painted I decided how to portray my theme. I chose to have the bear cub as an artist, learning how to express and paint, and so began the details of the cub. A large tree silhouette was painted on the mama bear's back. Each leaf was a different vibrant color, having been painted by the cub. In the cub's hand was a tree branch on which he had painted "Together We Can", and an open paint can sits in front of him. A paintbrush is held in his other paw.

Tree Silhouette on Bearfootin' Bear

"Together We Can" Bearfootin' Bear by Jeanne Fry

Once the bears were completed it was time to deliver them to a local body shop where they would receive their clear coat that would protect them from the elements while on public display.

"Together We Can" Bear by Jeanne Fry after the Clear Coat

Bearfootin' Bear ready for display in Downtown Hendersonville

After the official "Reveal" celebration, the bears are placed at various locations in the downtown. "Together We Can" is shown in front Flight Restaurant, which is near the Arts Council of Henderson County. Many thanks go out to American Doll for adopting the bear ( taking them in at night and bring them back out in the morning), Morris Broadband, The Arts Council of Henderson County, and Downtown Hendersonville for the wonderful opportunity to create "Together We Can".

Here was my recent visit to see them on display...

"Together We Can" by Jeanne Fry

Together We Can.....

Visiting Our Spirit Place

It's been long over due and sorely missed, but this afternoon we finally were able to return to our Spirit Place...the place where we have pulled off on many afternoons in days gone by...a place where we have rejoiced after visits with friends...a place where John proposed to me...a place where we feel totally connected with something bigger than ourselves.

A serene place along the Broad River and nestled in the mountains near Chimney Rock, is our place. As we park and head toward the water, our hearts beat a little faster, knowing that soon we will find complete peace. After a few minutes of carefully negotiating your footsteps down the paths, the arrival at the river welcomes us with sunshine and the first thing I want to do....lay my hand on the rocks and say hello to our old friend.

It's here that we take the biggest breath of relief in the past few months. That we release our worries, even if momentarily, and allow our beings to relax in the knowing. We watch a pair of crows that are diligently working on building their nest, and relate to them as we quietly watch their movements.

They fly high over our heads back and forth and pay us humans no attention as they focus on their task, maybe reminding us to do the same.

We walk a bit over the large rocks and boulders, each step taken in reverence, at the beauty that surrounds us. Few words are spoken on this trip, they aren't needed. It's here that we remember who we are with one another and enjoy the peace that is emanating between us.

The waters are clean and cool, cleansing for the body and soul. John drinks from the river and meditates briefly while I am pulled to go explore.

As I head the other way I feel pulled to a quiet place where I feel the presence of a bear. No, I do not see him, but feel him in the woods on the other side of the river, watching us two-legged ones with interest. With my camera in tow, I take a few shots of the water that just glistens with sparkles of light dancing along the top and I think of the old Cherokee stories of the wee ones and where they may be hiding.

Soon we feel it's time to leave our spot. We have been here long enough, are replenished with balance, and it's time to give it back to those that live here.  So grateful for the day, beautiful and warm.

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/