8″x10″ acrylic, 2011. The juxtaposition between the current state of “Brother Bear” and this photo of his of his original condition is, as Nate’s mother Claudia pointed out, “fascinating!” A Baby Gund, this once fluffy and cream-colored bear is now a bit rangy and matted, with grey, dreadlocked fur mostly obscuring his eyes. Claudia ordered this portrait to honor Brother Bear on what appears to be the brink of his becoming obsolete to 7-year-old Nate. This bear replaced an identical bear called “Baby Bear,” lost four years ago, that had been with Nate from birth.