Erik Brooks's Blog, page 53

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 143 - 5.8.16

On of the MANY lasting images from our trip to the Arctic last fall, was that of a mother polar bear standing boldly between her cub and a large adult male. She sensed him coming through an impenetrable fog, took a stance and stared him down. Yesterday, I painted this card for the President, and for moms: "Happy Mother's Day!"

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 142 - 5.6.16

No polar bears where I live here in Winthrop, WA, but we do have mountains, springtime sunflowers (arrowleaf balsamroot) and wolves. Washington's wolves have made a significant comeback in the eight years since the first verified pack at Lookout Mountain, but the balance between people and the natural world is constantly hard to strike. 

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 141 - 5.5.16

Yesterday's Cinco de Mayo bear -- with a serious nod to Oaxacan Folk Art from Mexico.

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 140 - 5.5.16

Polar bears, of course, and also Peter Brown's excellent middle grade novel, The Wild Robot , on my mind today. Gouache over acrylic making some nice background textures...

Harts Pass No. 297

The annual Sunflower Marathon, my spring track coaching, and a new book on the legendary Czech Olympian, Emil Zatopek, converge in this week's Harts Pass.

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 139 - 5.4.16

Apropos of "Star Wars Day," our carbon outputs have a direct relationship to the state of climate change. We (and the Arctic) are trapped in a vicious cycle -- ahem, ala Mr. Solo -- and we should support the President and his plans to limit emissions. May the 4th be With You! 

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 138 - 4.30.16

A teenager in the house as of this weekend... Look out world! 

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 137 - 4.29.16

Still catching up, so bonus bears for the day!

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 136 - 4.29.16

44 Bears on my 44th Birthday for the 44th President of the United States!

Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 135 - 4.28.16

This project, by its nature and approach is a relatively whimsical and fun attempt at advocacy -- with healthy respect for how minuscule my little routine is in the relative scheme of the President's day-to-day. Still, even children's book illustrators with wacky side projects need to blow off a little steam now and then. So here you go: GRRRRRRRR!!!!! 135 post cards in and still keeping my eye on the prize of a Monument status for the 1002 and Alaska's coastal plain! Pick up a pencil and send a post card of your own :)