For many years now I have been the lone person (that I know of) who has not seen a bear in the mountains around Gatlinburg. It has become a joke amongst my friends, because bears are seen so often there. Therefore, I depend on my photos from bears in captivity for my paintings. This is probably a good thing, because I’m such a realist that I might not ever paint something as cute as Bedtime Kisses. Left up to my imagination, bears take on more of a storybook persona and less of a foraging wild thing. In this painting I am appealing to our inner nature to nurture. Sometimes in the business of life, we forget what is important and chose to spend time on the urgent. I hope this scene reminds you of what is the most valuable of all – the people around you. So, please, step out of the urgent during your day and take time to spread the love with laughter, tender moments and Bedtime Kisses.

~ Mark Keathley