"Onward and Upward", abstract expressionist acrylic palette knife painting of a bear by Kate Dardine

"Onward and Upward"
20x24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas
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While painting "Onward and Upward" I was thinking about the darkening days, the advent of the time of darkness. Many people with Bear as a totem look forward to winter, when one can go inside, both figuratively and literally, and recharge.

Full of vigorous knife work, this painting is at once energetic and contemplative.

To see more work, please visit my website, www.katedardine.com. Thank you!

"Pensive Bear" abstract wildlife palette knife painting by Kate Dardine

"Pensive Bear"
4x4" acrylic palette knife painting on canvas
$35

This is the smallest palette knife painting I've attempted - and was interested to see if I could keep it loose with the illusion of detail. I'm happy with how it turned out.

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www.katedardine.com

"Twilight Bear" by Kate Dardine

Painting #30 of my Painting a Day project. Twilight Bear is resplendent in her designer coat! This is one of those paintings that have a mind of their own. My original idea was to paint a more realistic bear, but she had different ideas. And when a bear has ideas, well, you just step aside and let her go! Twilight Bear is 6x6", oil on stretched canvas, ready to frame. Click here for purchase information.

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Colorado, USA

"Bear Dances in Universal Light" by Kate Dardine

The Black bear is a practical power animal, discerning and wise, less aggressive and more discreet than the Brown Bear. A well balanced, helpful and warm companion on shamanic journeys. Bear also has links to the seven color rays of the Universal Light as well as Lunar ties, linking the subconscious and the unconscious mind.

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Visit my website: www.katedardine.com

Kate Dardine is a Daily Abstract Painter from Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA

"Dancing Bear" study by Kate Dardine (sold)

This 8x8 oil on canvas is a study for a larger painting. It is a commissioned birth totem painting for a client, and has the words "On the day you were born, Bear danced to the beat of your song," written along the 1-1/2" gallery-wrapped edges.

If you are interested in learning more about commissioning a birth totem animal painting, or just want to learn more about your birth totem animal, please contact me. Each commissioned piece has words written just for you incorporated into the design or along the edges. They make wonderful gifts for others or are perfect as a gift to yourself!

The paintings in my series of the twelve birth totem animals, called "The Heart of..." are available as limited edition gallery-wrapped giclées - click here for more information. They are also available on tiles, mugs, T-shirts and notecards - and as a 12-month calendar - through my Online Boutique.

"As we learn to listen to Nature, we break down our out-worn perceptions. We find that magical creation is the force of life inherent in all things. And it is this, above all else, that Nature teaches to those that will learn from her." _ Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

See more of my work at www.KateDardine.com.

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA