The sketchy and inconsistent blog of Bethie Engstrom...

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Fierce

Medium: watercolor


Wondering if I'm not the only one who talks and gets giggly/scared at some drawings... I've seen brown bears up close at a rescue zoo in Alaska (see post here... scroll towards the bottom)... relived some of those memories while sketching and painting this out. =}

Most of the time as artist, we only portray the beauty - because it's almost easier. And I can say that because I do - sometimes all I want to sketch out is a pretty girl, doing something epic and exciting. But at times to stretch yourself and start climbing higher up the ladder of experience - we have to put ourselves in situations, and our characters and subjects, into something that's not always pretty.

I never want to be someone who just stop making things that I think are pretty, beautiful and lovely - but I also want to be able to do things that don't fit into that category. Anywho - just rambling here.

... darn... I forgot about daylight savings - technically it's midnight right now.. =P urg.

10 comments:

Tracey FK said...

I love finding subjects from everywhere around me and try to see something interesting in everything I try to paint so I like what you are saying here... sometimes the pretty and beautiful can be a bit obvious, but I think this is beautifully epic and I love seeing the different direction... this is actually my favourite of your work that I have been seeing... very cool...xx

Unknown said...

Everything you draw is beautiful, even if it's not cute. :)) This bear is awesome!

Bethie Engstrom said...

Thank you both. =)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous drawing...

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful, scary bear ~ well done ~thanks ~ namaste, carol ^_^ linked w/ SS

Sabina said...

I definitely think there is also beauty in moments like that--animals staying try to their nature you know? Anyway great depiction of the bear. Very fierce... and natural.

Tammie Lee said...

fierce indeed and well done
and only you knows what stretches you into the beyond.... wonderful to stretch indeed~

Alexandra MacVean said...

You know, it's so true about what you've said - finding and depecting beauty more often than something ugly or scary. What motivation you've given us all to look at ALL things around us with our creative eyes. :)

PS Great scary bear!!

Heather said...

Great sketch! And the expression is perfect! i like your post, you are right we should draw the "un pretty" for a week....
enjoy your day

Marie Rayner said...

Wow what a great painting! You've captured the spirit of that bear perfectly!!