3. The Mentor Bear: Honoring Wisdom and Guidance
Introduction
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In every culture, certain symbols stand out as beacons of wisdom and guidance. For me, the bear is one such symbol since it represents my clan and ancestors, the Chookaneidi from Hoonah, Alaska. My latest mural, the Mentor Bear, is a tribute to the mentors and guides who have shaped my journey as an artist and a Tlingit tribal member.
Bill Pfeifer, Jr stands in front of his Mentor Bear mural wrap in Seattle
Inspiration and Concept
The two bears could represent a parent child relationship or a teacher student relationship and is left a bit up to interpretation of the viewer. The bear holds a significant place for me, representing strength, leadership, and protection. I would often see a mother and her cubs while out hiking or even in my own back yard. Sometimes the cubs would be off playing while the mother ate blueberries or fished in the local river. This mural was inspired by the mentors in my life, including my mother, my father and Nathan Jackson, who have imparted invaluable knowledge and skills. The Mentor Bear is a visual representation of their wisdom and the guidance they have provided me. It also represents myself teaching my young son about our culture and knowledge of the outdoor surroundings.
I wanted to capture the concept when a young person gets the unique privilege of having such strong mentors from a young age, like the small bear cub depicted. The adult bear is out fishing the river for salmon before winter sets in, intent on teaching the young cub what it knows about survival. While the young bear is present, it is not necessarily looking where the mentor is, but rather daydreaming. This often happens where a student may not realizing the huge benefit of a great mentor until much later in its life.
Details for the raven flying above the waterfall
The ravens flying overhead are an attempt to symbolize both my father’s clan and Nathan’s clan, both of their clans belong to the Raven moiety.
Design and Process
The mural features a majestic bear adorned with traditional Tlingit formline designs. I incorporated elements such as the bear’s powerful stance and simple but bold patterns to symbolize strength. The process began with detailed sketches, followed by layering colors and textures to bring the bear to life. Using celshading techniques, I added depth and dimension to the mural, making the bear appear almost lifelike.
the faces of the bears are very strongly influence by the carved versions of bears on totem poles and masks. I also tried to make the paws and joints look a bit mechanical to slide some sci-fi influences in, along with using cyan and magenta for the secondary and tertiary colors.
Detailed closeup of the bear cub, showing shading technique
The waterfall is inspired by one that I love to take my wife to where we would often visit to reflect on the year. The river below is one from my hometown where my mother and father would take us to watch the salmon run each fall. We would commonly see bears feeding out of this river.
a solitary plant with purple flower blooms—a symbol of depth and growth, mirroring the young bear’s journey into its first winter. It stands as a vibrant testament to the courage to be different to bloom where one is planted, even in unexpected places.
Note: The purple flower, while not native to the scene, can be seen as a metaphor for the young bear itself—unique, vibrant, and full of potential, thriving under the guidance of a strong mentor. It adds a layer of depth, both visually and symbolically, to the narrative of growth and learning.
Challenges and Solutions
Creating the Mentor Bear mural came with its own set of challenges. One of the main obstacles was capturing the bear’s essence while staying true to Tlingit artistic traditions. Additionally, working on a large scale and with a window, vertical divisions and electrical box on the container required careful planning and execution. I did lots of different renditions of the two bears, even tried to integrate a salmon, but later decided to keep the story more subtle for the viewer’s imagination.
Community Impact
I hope that the Mentor Bear mural has resonated deeply with the local community. It has already sparked wonderful conversations about the importance of guidance and wisdom in our lives. Schools and community groups have reached out to me about potentially using the design as an educational tool, teaching younger generations about Tlingit culture and the significance of mentorship. I look forward to these future opportunities! Looking ahead, I plan to continue exploring themes of mentorship and guidance in my work—the topic is too important to ignore.
Framed print of the Mentor Bear design
Conclusion
The Mentor Bear mural is more than just a piece of art; it is a tribute to the mentors who have shaped my journey. It represents the strength and wisdom that guide us through life. I invite you to visit the mural, reflect on the mentors in your own life, and join me in celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Tlingit people.
Links
Previous Mural Description: 2. Daring Dragonflies: A Frog’s Playful Pause
Next Mural Description: 4. The Orca’s First Voyage: A Tale of Independence and Adventure
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