I love teddy bears. Really, I do. But why?
Well, to start with, they're just so dang cute. Some have the sweetest, most evocative expressions. I aim for that winsome innocence in my own bears; for a certain plaintive quality that absolutely beseeches you to take another look. I appreciate it in the work of others. When a bear has that "awwwwwwww" factor, something just clicks -- that unmistakable gotta have it thing. Maybe that's because there's a very real, soul-feeding reward to be found in embracing the kind of wide-eyed, earnest enthusiasm that the most evocative of bears both express, and inspire.
I love bears, too, because they're something to wrap my arms around and hug. I think if the world spent more time hugging and less time bickering, we'd cure so much of what ails us. What a great feeling of comfort and safety there is to be found in a hug, isn't there? And who couldn't use a little more comfort and safety in their life?
I love bears because they're nostalgic. Even the most contemporary bear owes its very existance to historical beginnings circa the Theodore Roosevelt era, so it's hard to think of bears without reminiscence and fond remembrances of teddy times past, as well as our own.
I love bears because they allow me to reexperience the simple joys of childhood. Life can be so complicated and sharp at times, can't it? It's such sweet relief to reflect, even just for a moment, on how little it actually takes to find true peace and contentment and bliss in this world. It takes a bear -- and sometimes, that's enough.
I love all kinds of bears. I love antique bears; artsy contemporary bears; and new bears styled to LOOK old, equally. I love that there are gifted artists of vision out there in the world whose efforts at bearmaking create a friendlier, happier, more beautiful world, and I support and applaud their honors and achievements with everything I have, even when I feel a little threatened by or jealous of their successes. I hope it's reciprocated.
I also love both one of a kind artist bears (the kind I make) and mass produced bears. They're so much more alike than they are un-alike, in all the ways I mention above. It's my belief (for what it's worth) that it behooves the entire bear loving community, from individual artist to huge corporate machine, and including the heart of the industry -- the bear lover and collector -- to unite in earnest support of all things bear. And wouldn't that kind of universally supportive community spirit be EXACTLY what you'd expect a teddy bear to propose if it could, anyway?
Just one more reason to love teddy bears, that is. They're full of wisdom!
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4 comments:
Gosh, your bears are awesome! I found your site through a link that came with an article about making good photos of bears.
What has always puzzled me is how in the world do teddy artists part with their creations? I mean, when you make that cutie, and she looks at you and gives you a warm hug how can you possibly give her up? It's like a baby.
Thanks so much for the really nice compliments, Olga! They're warmly appreciated.
It IS hard to part with these cute little critters -- you're so right -- but it's my job to make and sell them, and I do this job instead of another job, so overall the fiscal bottom line INSISTS that the bears go out the door, rather than staying with me. Every job has its downside and I suppose for bearmakers, letting go of our bears would be it!
I do keep about one bear a year that really touches me, as a way of tracking the changes in my technique, and of keeping on hand just a few examples of my work.
Thanks for replying my comment! So you are a full-time bear artist? That must be a great job to do!
Is Amelie one of those bears that stayed with you? She caught my attention because she's so incredibly lovely and besides I've just received a shipment with mohair of exactly the same color, but it's sparse.
Oh, forgot to introduce myself. :) I'm just a beginner bear-maker, it's my hobby. I'm a freelance writer and journalist from Moscow, Russia.
Hey again, Olga. You've got a great eye... YES, Amelie is one of the bear that stayed with me. She's made from a curly-matted tipped style that was really fun (and easy) to work with.
How cool that you're a journalist! That's what I'm trying to do in a very small and amateurish way with my blog. It's fun and rewarding to feel like I connect with people through my words.
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