ABOUT THE ARTIST - Michael Bedoian
I am a self taught artist that decided to paint after a life changing experience. I live in Saluda, North Carolina with my wife, two daughters, two dogs and two cats.The paintings that I am blessed to create are of the North American Black Bear. Each painting on the surface appears to be about Black Bears, but the real meaning is a lesson I learned in my life reflected in the image of the Bear. The lessons are for everyone and speak of Inner Peace and how to live from there.
It is said , before the White man came to America, a squirrel, starting on the east coast, could travel on a virgin stand of timber from tree top to tree top, all the way to the Mississippi River. Like the trees, the Native Americans were brutally hacked apart, and relocated to make room for outward growth. We all believe that we never would have behaved the way the White Settlers did back then, but I would respectfully disagree. In fact our ways have evolved very little since then and we continue to push outward only it is not us doing the dirty work. We place our faith in, businesses, corporations, governments, religions, and science to inform and supply us with the stuff we need to exist. Then we portray ourselves as victims when the ones doing the dirty work are caught with their hands in the cookie jar. We innocently demand that they be crucified. It is insanity to believe that a better life can be found out there, and in the name of "progress" displace and destroy those who do not speak the proper language. The White Settlers were able to kill the Native Americans because they saw them as being less than they. We have been taught that animals are less than humans. All of our problems stem from seeing ourselves as different from the unified whole of creation. I do not paint "Wildlife". This word is another way fear tries to carve out of oneness what cannot be divided. These fearful labels are interwoven into the fabric of our world and I have grown tired of them. I have made a different choice that embraces Love and Compassion and place my faith in the Creator. The paintings I am blessed to create come from within and speak to every beating heart. They simply are a reminder of our true home and where Peace can be found in a world of fear.
I am a self taught artist that decided to paint after a life changing experience. I live in Saluda, North Carolina with my wife, two daughters, two dogs and two cats.The paintings that I am blessed to create are of the North American Black Bear. Each painting on the surface appears to be about Black Bears, but the real meaning is a lesson I learned in my life reflected in the image of the Bear. The lessons are for everyone and speak of Inner Peace and how to live from there.
It is said , before the White man came to America, a squirrel, starting on the east coast, could travel on a virgin stand of timber from tree top to tree top, all the way to the Mississippi River. Like the trees, the Native Americans were brutally hacked apart, and relocated to make room for outward growth. We all believe that we never would have behaved the way the White Settlers did back then, but I would respectfully disagree. In fact our ways have evolved very little since then and we continue to push outward only it is not us doing the dirty work. We place our faith in, businesses, corporations, governments, religions, and science to inform and supply us with the stuff we need to exist. Then we portray ourselves as victims when the ones doing the dirty work are caught with their hands in the cookie jar. We innocently demand that they be crucified. It is insanity to believe that a better life can be found out there, and in the name of "progress" displace and destroy those who do not speak the proper language. The White Settlers were able to kill the Native Americans because they saw them as being less than they. We have been taught that animals are less than humans. All of our problems stem from seeing ourselves as different from the unified whole of creation. I do not paint "Wildlife". This word is another way fear tries to carve out of oneness what cannot be divided. These fearful labels are interwoven into the fabric of our world and I have grown tired of them. I have made a different choice that embraces Love and Compassion and place my faith in the Creator. The paintings I am blessed to create come from within and speak to every beating heart. They simply are a reminder of our true home and where Peace can be found in a world of fear.
