Bear Painter

Before I began painting in the winter of 1999, I had been a social worker in New York City; sold shirts and ties to Wall Street brokers (one of whom I married!) temporary and permanent staffing to Washington D.C. law firms, and computer training to the U.S. government. I worked as director of an adult education school, a freelance business columnist, publicist and model.

Choice of medium was never an issue for me. I am at heart an oil painter. The question of subject matter however, proved more challenging. After painting a series of self portraits and high fashion shoes, I decided to look outside of myself and my closet, and become a bear portrait painter.

How Golf Came Into the Picture, Literally

After several years of rigorous posing, my teddy models needed some outdoor exercise. Soccer proved too strenuous. Their team building skills are weak, and they trip over the net in tennis. Golf was the perfect solution.

My bears have been featured several times in the magazine, Teddy Bear Review. I also provided artwork for radio station WVTF's give away for their winter 2008 fundraising drive. The mug featured a teddy bear cozing up to an antique radio.

The bear portraits are well traveled, having hung in galleries and shows in Virginia, Washington and New York, and the homes of  teddy bear collectors.

 I enjoy working with teddy bears because of the texture of their fur, the round shapeliness of their bodies, and their rich facial expressions. They also talk less and take fewer coffee breaks than other artists models.

-Beth Herman