Along the quiet stream, a powerful presence waits — almost unseen, yet fully aware.

This original pastel painting captures a quiet encounter in the wild — a moment where strength blends seamlessly into the land. The bear stands still at the stream’s edge, partially hidden by the colors of the turning season. With soft light, layered texture, and a sense of stillness, River Watch invites the viewer to pause and notice what lies just beneath the surface.

In this piece, I wanted to capture one of those moments where the wild is both present and hidden — where you sense the bear before you truly see it. The stillness of the stream, the glow of fall, and the bear’s quiet strength all came together in this painting. I’m drawn to the idea of animals as part of the land itself — not separate, but woven in.
River Watch invites you to pause, look more closely, and feel the presence of the untamed world just beyond the trees.

14 x 18 inches, soft pastel on Pastelmat paper.