I am excited to share I am one of the returning artists for the 2024-2025 Art in the Park at Chautauqua Park in Boulder Colorado.  My fiberglass bear, Violet will be one of the large bears that will be nestled in Chautauqua gardens festively lit by Colorado Christmas Lights for Chautauqua's Winterfest celebration December 6-7, 2024.   I hope you can make it to see the holiday display.  The event is free and open to all.  https://www.chautauqua.com/winterfest-2024

 

If you can't make it to the Winterfest celebration you can still see the installation of bears until April 15, 2025.  The Art In The Park bears will be auctioned off on April 15th to benefit the many worthy nonprofits associated with this event as well as participating artists and the Colorado Chautauqua Association nonprofit.  Who knows, maybe you need a big bear displayed somewhere near you?  

 

Soon to come will be a map of Chautauqua with the location of each bear so stay tuned.  This page will be dedicated to my Bear, Violet.  

Violet stands ready to take the next person on an unforgettable adventure. Equipped with her sturdy armor, she can traverse all trails. Her vibrant colors call to fun-loving kids of all ages to come take a ride. The ride is fully controlled by the rider, who can use the control panel buttons to steer their journey.  Violet, like all bears, has a weakness for beehives.  See the surprise down on her tummy!  Oh no!  Violet got into a beehive!  She is a mischievous bear.  Well, we can let her slide, she clearly loves bees…look at the bees on her saddle. 

Violet is the third bear I have had the honor to paint for Art in the Park, at Chautauqua Park nestled along the Flat Irons in beautiful Boulder Colorado.  This year, I embraced an industrial look by highlighting the sculptural lines, while also ensuring the design is colorful and inviting for the kiddos. It is my hope that children will love climbing up on Violet and embarking on adventures fueled by their own imaginations.

Violet was created with a metallic silver base, then slowly building up detailed layers in a monochromatic fashion. Rich candy paint was then layered on to bring out her vibrant colors in a split complimentary color harmony. Like the former bears I have painted, she sports shiny toenails—this time adorned with copper leaf.  Copper leaf was also used in other areas to tie in her great toenails with other aspects of the sculpture, airbrushed to give the copper leaf a patina look.  Violet then was finished off with a glossy protective clear coat to bring out her true colors.

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Candie

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