A Chance Encounter
“Cotton Grass Bear” original acrylic painting by Gail Niebrugge sold, limited edition prints available.
During research for my book, “Gail Niebrugge’s Alaska Wildflowers” I sketched and photographed wildflowers in the field. Photographing cotton grass was particularly troublesome this day because a breeze made it difficult to focus on the fluffy, moving, seedhead. Deeply immersed and concentrating I was unaware of the big brown bear quietly grazing toward me. Apparently he was as unaware of me and I was of him, because suddenly we both looked up and were startled to see each other. My heart stood still, while the bear gave me a curious look. He turned around and resumed feeding nonchalantly moving away. I rapidly retreated backward stumbling over tussocks and logs, never leaving him from sight until I reached the protection of my car. In retrospect I was elated, the chance encounter gave me great subject matter for future paintings, and another story to tell!
More tomorrow,
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
March 24th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Dear Gail – You are such a gifted artist, and you paint from the heart! What an amazing experience, which makes your expression through your art so special.
I do hope I meet you one day!
Best wishes,
Noella
March 24th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Noella;
When we do meet, I hope I can show you some moose and maybe a bear!
Thank you for writing.
Hugs,
Gail
March 25th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Gail, that’s a date! That would indeed be wonderful!
Noella X
March 25th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Noella;
Plan to come soon, before I get too old to get around!
Gail
April 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
My mother (Noella) is right, you are a gifted artist.. Hopefully I will be with her when she looks at the rest of your gallery.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hi Chris!
I hope you can be here too! Thanks for the nice comment.
Gail