For many years now I have been the lone
person (that I know of) who has not seen
a bear in the mountains around
Gatlinburg. It has become a joke amongst
my friends, because bears are seen so
often there. Therefore, I depend on my
photos from bears in captivity for my
paintings. This is probably a good
thing, because I'm such a realist that I
might not ever paint something as cute
as Bedtime Kisses. Left up to my
imagination, bears take on more of a
storybook persona and less of a foraging
wild thing. In this painting I am
appealing to our inner nature to
nurture. Sometimes in the business of
life, we forget what is important and
chose to spend time on the urgent. I
hope this scene reminds you of what is
the most valuable of all - the people
around you. So, please, step out of the
urgent during your day and take time to
spread the love with laughter, tender
moments and Bedtime Kisses.
~ Mark Keathley |