I recently began exploring the idea of creating a new series of bear paintings and wanted to create something different from my traditional wildlife paintings. So, I began to think outside the box. In Montana I spend a lot of time exploring Yellowstone National Park and its regions and have boxes of park maps. They caught my eye, and I thought, “Well, maps are paper, and I paint my pastels on paper, so why not use them?” I prepped the maps on panel, painted my newest bear, but he needed something more. I had always wanted to use gold and silver leaf but never had the right project. With this painting, the bumble bees were the perfect opportunity; thus, "The Bear & The Bees."