LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Bear on a Truck

We knew we needed a bear.  The real ones occasionally wander by, but we wanted one that would stay with us.  There are tons of bear options here in the mountains.  There are several chainsaw carvers, resin bears, concrete bears and wooden bears.  We didn't know what kind of bear we wanted but were sure we would know it when we saw it.  A new neighbor a couple of blocks away had several beautiful bears.  We asked where they got them.  They gave us the name of the carver.

Last spring we visited the carver near Cashiers.  We stopped and looked at the artist's work and chatted with him about what we wanted.  He assured us that he could make one for us.  In August the carver called to say the bear was carved and drying at his home.  Then he would treat the wood and stain it.

Two weeks ago the carver called to tell us the bear was ready.  He delivered it to our house on a huge truck.


The bear on a truck


We did not get the bear from nearby Uncle Buck (here).  We wanted a brown black bear and wanted a bit more detail in the carving.  So where did our bear come from?

The Bear's Den, of course.



The bear is sitting on a stump.  Both the bear and the stump were carved from a single, very large log.  The heavy piece was moved from the truck to our yard.  And we love him.

I think he likes our yard.

We are pleased with our new bear, visible from several rooms in the house.  He was never intended to look real, but we didn't want a "Disney" bear either.  Isn't it great to commission something and get exactly what you wanted?  We definitely have an eclectic art collection in our yards.  But beauty is still in the eye of the beholder and we think all of our tacky stuff is beautiful.


23 comments:

The Bug said...

I love him! Does he have a name? Or aren't you guys like Mike & me - we name everything :)

Taradharma said...

He's grand, and looks quite at home!

Vicki Lane said...

Not tacky! Just right. And what wonderful pictures you got of the hawk!

Ms. A said...

He's perfect!!! Love it!

How Sam Sees It said...

I love him - he would look so out of place here in AZ, but if we could manage it I'd want one too!

Sam

Ginnie said...

He/she is great ! I watched that being done a few years back and it's amazing. I love the way it's sitting.

KB said...

I love your bear! I want one too!

I wonder what the "real" bears will think of him?

Christine said...

What a wonderful piece of yard art! I think he's just perfect.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

very good example of art dear . You have done a great work . We appreciate such pages . good keep it up

perfume sample

Anonymous said...

Lovely artwork and cool bear!

Rudee said...

He's a beautiful work of art, and, no, he's not tacky at all!

KGMom said...

I love the various postings you have done on your yard art. And the bear is a definite fine addition.
Does he/she have a name?

Berts Blog said...

Oh we love him. We think he is just perfect.....

Carolina Linthead said...

He is beautiful! I love him...and I am sure he is very happy in your yard :-)

chris youngblood said...

Great art! not tacky, cute. Years ago I saw a black bear sitting like that. I was driving slowly down one of our dirt roads when I saw from a distance a black bear sitting like that by the side of the road by a mailbox, looking like he was waiting for the mailman. For some of us waiting for the mailman is a thing. Anyway, I stopped and looked at the bear for a long time, as did someone coming from the other direction. If the bear hadn't moved it's head around, I might have thought it was yard art. Eventually it wondered off as did we. I really like your new piece, enjoy!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I can't find anything tacky about him...he is just lovely and cute! I will sleep better when I know his name though. :)
We were looking at property in Bear Lake Reserve and I was so looking forward to decorating with bears in mind!

Karin said...

Love your bear! He's so charmin' out there in the woods! It will be fun to see how he weathers!

Enjoyed catching up on your posts!

Folkways Note Book said...

A fantastic bear! I would love a bear just like you commissioned as I live on Bear Mountain and I love good folk art. -- barbara

Jayne said...

He's wonderful Carolyn!! What a great addition to your yard. :c)

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Very cute. I know you all have bears wander through, please keep them up in the mountains, ok? ;-) Amazing that yours is carved from one single piece of wood. Will you plant anything around it? Sorry, tis the gardener in me.

Cicero Sings said...

Very cute bear! I like him.

Jbstlouis said...


Vice nice carving, I would almost bet that bear was carved by Eddie Hoots.......he is great carver!