Curious Black Bear - Original Artwork - Watercolor

Black bears are native to Virginia, and much of the East Coast. More and more frequently, they have been showing up in our neighborhoods right here in my town due to the pressure of deforestation which is occurring at an alarming rate in Virginia. I had a close encounter with a curious mother bear and her cub while swimming one afternoon. I stayed in the pool until they got bored of watching me and moved on. It was disconcerting but also exciting. This painting was made with permissions using the photography of Michelle McCune as my sketch material.