In the Finnish mythology killing of a bear was followed by a great feast in honour of the bear (peijaiset), where a substantial part of the celebrations consisted of convincing the bear's spirit that it had died accidentally and hadn't been murdered. Afterwards, the bear's skull was hung high upon a pine tree so its spirit could re-enter the heavens. The bones of the bear were then buried under the pine. Reference for this work is my old drawing of karhunkallopetäjä/bearskullpine in the Riisitunturi. Also practice sketch of bear skull and at last photo i took of pine.
Drew this for a professor that mentored me on my first research paper! You can also find me on facebook www.facebook.com/sonialaiart for WIP and updates!
This is the full spread in my moleskine of Return of the Polar Bear. It is after Pieter Bruegel the Elder, an artist from the 16th century, with my own changes.
This is the other half of Return of the Polar Bear, a drawing in my moleskine. It is after Pieter Bruegel the Elder, an artist from the 16th century. I began it as a way to try out his intricate use of line and hatching. The subject matter altered some along the way - his etching didn't have any animals, and of course mine had to be all about the animals. I also simplified. It turned out to be a wonderful lesson.
Sometimes I feel like my drawing is similar to composing music. I start drawing just something and hope that it begins its own life.
In this drawing i start from the clouds and doesnt have any idea what it is gonna be at end.
Painted as a project for My Painting Environments class: https://skl.sh/32Khrti
I am studying and working on my environment paintings, focusing on building textures and painting with light. This was submitted as my project for a Painting Environments course. If you have any advise, tips or comments on this painting I would love to hear from you. Thanks!
Epic Valley Project parameters:
- Hugh, expansive valley with mix of grassy and rocky terrain
- Haunting, dramatic sky with rays of light beaming
- Stone formations
A detail from Polar Bear Ship, a recently finished drawing after Pieter Bruegel the Elder, an artist of the 15th century. I changed it a fair bit, his didn't have polar bears - or any animals. I wanted to try out his style. I like this way of drawing.
Bear was most respected animal in Finnish mythology
It was born in the skies on the shoulders of the seven stars of the Great Bear
From there, the bear was let down to earth in a golden cradle with silver straps, into the forest
Bear.
Among the backwoodsmen of America there was a superstition that bears breed only once every seven years, and when they did this caused such a disturbance in the atmosphere that any cattle in the district which were about to calve would lose their young.
From "A DICTIONARY OF OMENS AND SUPERSTITIONS" by Philippa Waring. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5Y7HaBrTw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Wanted to paint something soft - something my kids might like. What is more gentle and peaceful-looking than a sleeping koala? Check out the full timelapse painting here https://youtu.be/IxmUol8dsBs