Whistler Contemporary Gallery artist Paul Garbett lives in a forested rural area and often hikes and bikes no matter what the season. "If I'm fortunate I will witness bears doing their bear things, like swimming rivers, climbing trees or being the usual curious creatures that they are. There is no better inspiration than that for getting me motivated to paint wildlife. Bears are a favourite of mine. I think it's their curiosity that reminds me of me," Garbett says.

His painting "Autumn Bear" is an example of a commission for a client who returned to their cottage one spring to find a bear living under the cottage. The painting of that bear now hangs in the living room directly above the bear den. "What a wonderful way to honour that animal!" Garbett says.

To read the full article, go to Whistler Traveller .