Friday, August 12, 2011

The Name Game

I have seen many photographs of polar bear cubs when they first emerge from their winter snow caves, they look so small and vulnerable in the vastness of the Arctic wilderness. There is one particular photo that I often hold in my mind of a cub trotting along in pursuit of it's mother, you don't see the adult in the picture just this tiny cub in a huge, snowy, vastness. It makes me smile because he's such a cute little guy, but I also feel an incredible sadness at how the future looks for polar bears. That photograph seems to embody the fragility of their existence in the face of diminishing suitable habitat, it is such a tragedy that we may lose this magnificent species (one of my favourites) in the very near future as the ice caps disappear.

In this latest bear I have endeavoured to capture the vulnnerability of a newly emerged polar bear cub. I have used a very dense alpaca for his coat, which I have had to extensively trim to carve out his features (otherwise he would just be a big fuzz ball!) He has a Locline "spine" and he also has it in all his limbs but I have kept him softly filled so that he is a very poseable bear. I  added a bag of stainless steel pellets to his tummy to give him a nice weight. He has needle felted eye surrounds, which have enhanced his juvenile appearance. I really like how this one has turned out, in fact I think it may be my best work to date! Now all I need to do is think of a name...............

You'll have to forgive my odd set up for these photos. I could have taken a trip up Ben Lomond and posed him in the real snow up there, but quite frankly I didn't really want to get that cold for a couple of photos. So you get the old polyfill "snow" instead!

16 comments:

  1. He's gorgeous! Your work is inspirational, Linda.

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  2. Linda you amaze me every time I see your work.
    This little cub is so special, I can well see why you think it is your best work ever.
    Hugs
    Kay

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  3. Your polar bear is perfectly sweet! and it is a sad thing to think that they could one day be gone... hopefully not for a long time still.
    vivian

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  4. He's a little stunner, Linda. I understand completely why he's a favourite! Naming is SO difficult. I usually end up doing an Internet search of Inuit names.

    Regards

    Sue

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  5. Beautiful bear Linda. You really have captured the sweet innocence of a baby.

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  6. Wow Linda, he's unbelievable! I can see why you would say he's your best work. He's beautiful and the sweetest polar bear cub I've ever seen.

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  7. Amazing Amazing as usual !!! Can see why you love him Linda his little face just speaks to you.

    Hugs Lyn

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  8. He is gorgeous Linda!! Not sure if he surpasses my Yuki though ;).....I am a bit bias I think!!

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  9. Oh Linda, he is great. His expression is so natural. I hope we will see him here in germany. Have a nice time

    Hugs, Claudia

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  10. Aww, he's gorgeous! Sadly, with the weather the way it's been here, I could probably trot up the 'original' Ben Lomond and get snow pics for you!

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  11. Thankyou all! Katy you are funny :o)
    And Claudia, I will bring him with me to Germany.

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  12. oooh, this new cub is beautiful. love his face and paws.

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  13. Another stunner! he's just gorgeous or is it a she??

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  14. He is wonderful Linda !!!, you've really captured the spirit of innocence, and those paws are perfectly fantastic!
    Beary best wishes,
    Robyn.

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