Watch Out Racoons! Here's Dec. 23rd of the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Everyday from Dec 1- 25th, a new polar bear painting is offered at a special value! (valid until Dec 31, 2020)

Polar Bear Bandit

Why a bandit? Because the polar bear, as one of the world’s most beloved animals, has stolen our hearts! A bit racoon-like (now there’s a bandit), but the halo -like moon behind, shines on this bear’s innocence. 

This is an acrylic + gold metallic acrylic painting on wood panel.The sides, however, are painted black giving the work a graphic look. The paint is slightly textured. 

Graphite, white, black & metallic gold acrylic paint

10” x 8” x .75 " wood panel.  Wired and ready to hang.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

Reg. $260 CAD. NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada + USA

Please contact me

Detail of Polar Bear Bandit. Please scroll down for original 10” x 8” painting without text. .

The complete painting. Trim, halo, and details, including highlights in eyes are metallic gold.

What is This Polar Bear Thinking Of? Here's the Latest Advent Calendar Art Special

Everyday from Dec 1- 25th, a new polar bear painting is offered at a special value! (valid until Dec 31, 2020)

Consideration of the Polar Bear King: Polar Bear #22

The handsome, intelligent bear in this painting stands, paws together. It is if he is listening patiently to someone before him & thoughtfully considering what is said. Oh, oh. If it’s a representative of the human race before him, we ‘ve got some explaining to do.

The halo-like gold sun that radiates behind him symbolizes his powerful and royal position as top predator in the arctic.

The gold metallic paint also represents the wealth we have in the nature around us. And like the polar bear, gold is beautiful to most who behold it.

The edges of this acrylic painting on wood panel have been painted in gold. 

10” x 8” x .75 " graphite, white, black & metallic gold acrylic paint on wood panel. 

The edges of this wood panel are painted gold. Wired and ready to hang.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

Reg. $260 CAD. NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada + USA

Please contact me

Polar Bear King Moves On. Here's Today's Very Special Offer

Everyday from Dec 1- 25th, a new polar bear painting is offered at a special value! (valid until Dec 31, 2020)

Polar Bear King Moves On

Behind this regal polar bear a metallic gold sun radiates. The halo-like gold sun symbolizes his powerful and royal position as top predator in the arctic.

The Polar Bear King Moves On (Detail). To see the full 10” x 8” panel, please scroll down.

The gold metallic paint also represents the wealth we have in the nature around us. And like the polar bear, gold is beautiful to most who behold it. 

The gold also represents the sun, and global warming. The polar bear moves on, ahead of the situation for now. 

The edges of this acrylic painting on wood panel have been painted in gold. 

Because graphite is used in this work, the painting has been varnished to seal in the line work. The painting is wired and ready for hanging. 

10” x 8” x .75 " graphite, white, black & metallic gold acrylic paint on wood panel. 

The edges of this wood panel are painted gold. Wired and ready to hang.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

Reg. $260 CAD. NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada + USA

Please contact me

The Polar Bear King Moves On ©Christine Montague Metallic acrylic paint & graphite on panel. Varnished.

Why the Halo? Advent Calendar Polar Bear # 19 Answers Why

Everyday from Dec 1- 25th, a new polar bear painting is offered at a special value! (valid until Dec 31, 2020)

Sun Halo Cub 2

The gold in this painting symbolizes the richness of our planet and the power of the sun. Halo-like the sun appears behind this cub.  Perhaps, we should be regarding our connection to nature as more holy.   

The curvy shape behind this little bear represents the ice on which the polar bear is so dependant upon for survival. 

And the baby blue? Perhaps it is about innocence, or water.. But maybe I was providing a little sibling for Polar Bear No. 15 (December 15th). :D

The edges of this wood panel are painted gold. My miniature works on panel are designed to stand..

4” x 6” x 1.5 " acrylic paint on wood panel. 

The edges of this wood panel are painted gold. It is free standing, perfect for a shelf, or table. Signed & unique work completion number. Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

Reg. $195 CAD. NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada + USA

Please contact me

Here's Today's Featured Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Painting

Everyday from Dec 1- 25th, a new polar bear painting is offered at a special value! (valid until Dec 31, 2020)

GOLD Dec. 18th Bear

Gold represents the royalty of this magnificent marine animal. The metallic gold acrylic paint on much of the artwork continues around the edges.

6” x 4” x 1.5 " acrylic paint on wood panel. 

Artist signature on the front, unique work completion number on the back. Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

Reg. $195 CAD. NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada + USA

Please contact me

Gold ©Christine Montague ChristineMontague.com Original painting does not have text. Please scroll down.

Why the Halo? The Inspiration for Dec 17th Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Today’s Featured Polar Bear in the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar 

December 17th Special Offer -

Sun Halo Polar Bear 1

Is it a halo or the sun that frames this polar bear’s handsome face? Gold metallic paint, and a stylized purple ice floe connect us to the royalty of this incredible marine mammal and its vulnerability from our warming planet.

Sun Halo Polar Bear 1 ©Christine Montague ChristineMontague.com

The edges of the wood panel are painted in gold acrylic paint. Perfect for standing on a shelf or table. 
6” x 4” x 1.5 " wood panel. 

Artist signature on the front, unique work completion number on the back. Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

Reg. $195 CAD, NOW $130 CAD incl. shipping to Canada and the USA. Special offer valid  until Dec. 31, 2020.

Please contact me

Why the Halo? Polar Bear No. 15 Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Dec. 15th

Every day a new polar bear painting is added to the Polar Bear Advent Calendar at special value .

Sun Halo 1

The gold in this painting symbolizes the richness of our planet and the power of the sun. Halo-like the sun appears behind this cub.  Perhaps, we should be regarding our connection to nature as more holy.   

The curvy shape behind this little bear represents the ice on which the polar bear is so dependant upon for survival. 

And the pink? Perhaps it is about innocence. But maybe it is that I like pink, and rarely get to use it in my polar bear art :D

The edges of this wood panel are painted gold. My miniature works on panel are designed to stand..

6” x 4” x 1.5 " wood panel. 

Artist signature on the front, unique work completion number on the back. Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

$130 CAD incl. shipping in North America  Reg, $195 CAD 

Shopping in USD? $100 USD includes shipping. (Reg. $150 USD)

Please contact me

Here's the Newest Bear in the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Special

December 13th Polar Bear. Today’s Special Offer -

Earth Bear 1

This polar bear painting celebrates polar bears and the connection we all have to the earth. This little bear looks quite amused and quite cute with a flower growing on its head, but, I think it would be better is tulips can’t grow in this polar bear’s environment. 

Earth Bear 1 with photoshopped text. ©Christine Montague oil painting ChristineMontague.com

Oil painting on 4” x 4" x 1.5 " wood panel. 

The background colour carries around the edges. Artist initials on the front, artist signature &  unique work completion number on the back. Certificate of Authenticity is supplied.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020.

$130 CAD incl. shipping in North America  Reg, $195 CAD .

Please contact me

Earth Bear in its natural form. . ©Christine Montague

It's December 12th (already?!!). Here's #12 of the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Bright in the Night Special offer

(valid until December 31, 2020)

Yesterday, I watched a live stream with Polar Bears International. Sunniva Sorby & Hilde Fålun Strøm of Hearts in the Ice were the special guests.

Bright in the Night. ©Christine Montague ChristineMontague.com Please see original below for painting without text.

For the 2nd winter in a row, these remarkable female citizen scientists, are inspiring active engagement around the climate crisis because of their stay at Bamsebu , a tiny cabin located in extreme isolation on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, about 78 degrees north of the Arctic Circle.

Right now, and for the next 3 months, they are experiencing the“Polar Night”, 24 hours a day they must navigate their surroundings in complete darkness. Polar bears are their nearest neighbor and they must always be on their guard.

I hope for their sakes, that a polar bear, bright in the night, is never a close as it is in this artwork!

In summation, this is a black and white portrait of a colourful bear. His textured white fur is bright , and his intelligence is, too.

This is an original acrylic painting on a 4” x 4" x 1.5 " wood panel.

The edges are a medium grey. It is signed, has a unique work completion number on the back , and is supplied with Certificate of Authenticity. It is perfect for standing on a shelf or table. To hang on a wall, simple put two push pins or two small nails and the inside edge will hang from it. .

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020-

$130 CAD incl. shipping in North America Reg. $195 CAD

Shopping in USD? No problem - Special is $100 USD. Reg. $150 USD

Please Contact me

Some links you may enjoy -

Polar Bears International

Hearts in the Ice

Bright in the Night. ©Christine Montague ChristineMontague.com

Polar Bear #11 Stops By to "Just Say Hello"

Dec. 11. #11 of Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar Special Offer

Just Saying Hello

In this original painting, the polar bear looks up at you. Are you a snowy owl, a Gyrfalcon, or, lucky you, a Tundra Buggy passenger. Whatever or whoever you are, you are just interesting enough for our bear to pause on its solitary journey to say hello.

Just Saying Hello . ©Christine Montague 4” x4” x 1.5” painting. Text not on original art, All paint is metallic. gold, blue & green. ChristineMontague.com

(Please note: what looks like olive green in the photo is actually metallic gold acrylic paint. This painting is shiny. )

Metallic acrylic. 4" x 4" x 1.5" wood panel. Edges are painted gold. Signed, unique work completion number & Certificate of Authenticity. Perfect to sit on a shelf or table. Varnished.

Special Offer 130 CAD incl. shipping in North America.

Valid until Dec. 31, 2020. Reg. $195 CAD ($150 USD)

Please contact me.

Just Saying Hello ©Christine Montague. Without text. Sides are gold. ChristineMontague.com

Why is a Polar Bear like a Marshmallow? See Dec. 9 Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

A marshmallow is a concoction that is both, sweet, solid and soft. I think this perfectly describes a polar bear cub, don’t you? It takes a cold heart to not acknowledge a polar bear cub  is pretty darn adorable. Those solid little paws, fluffy, dense fur, bright little coal eyes and nose. Let’s not forget, its intelligence and strength, needed to survive the many challenges ahead. 

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This little bear is is on a metallic silvery  mauve  background, keeping the colours cool, and yet warm, re[presenting its youth and innocence, too. 

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The silvery mauve carries around to the edges edges of this acrylic painting on 4" x 4" x 1.5 " wood panel. The background is textured. The painting is signed by me, comes with a unique work completion number and a Certificate of Authenticity.

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Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

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$130 CAD ($100 USD) incl. shipping in North America  Reg, $195 CAD ($150 USD)

.Please contact me here

Ghost Bear Baby Makes an Appearance in the Polar Bear Art Advent Calendar

Ghost Bear Baby

Like a spirit, a beautiful polar bear cub appears in the darkness, spotlit by the arctic moon. You don’t need to see every little detail painted to know how thick its insulating coat is, how fluffy its ears, how bright and intelligent are its eyes.

What is this beautiful, intelligent little cub thinking? Is it about to pounce in play? Is it you it is looking at? Where is his mom? Hopefully, not behind you!

All polar bear portraits, no matter the size, are either from my imagination or inspired by photographs I have taken. 

The edges of this acrylic painting on 4" x 4" x 1.5 " wood panel are a dark grey. The painting is signed by me, comes with a unique work completion number and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Special offer until Dec. 31, 2020

$130 CAD ($100 USD) incl. shipping in North America  Reg, $195 CAD ($150 USD)

Ghost Bear Baby. ©Christine Montague 4” x 4” 1.5” acrylic painting on wood panel

Into the Sunset - A New Polar Bear Series

In this new series of polar bear portrait oil paintings on canvas, a beautiful polar bear is portrayed against the setting sun, and the arctic sea.

It is spring. The polar bear’s solitary journey in search of seals, a mate, and shelter on the sea ice is coming to an end for another year.

The darkness of the arctic winter day vanishes along with the sea ice. Sunshine returns and so do the glorious big sky sunsets.

As the day draws to an end, the sun’s glory is reflected off the open water, the remaining ice, and the polar bear's translucent fur - sea, ice and polar bear connected by its light, colour and warmth.

We can reflect, too. What will we lose under the threat of climate change? A setting sun offers hope with a new day ahead, but "into the sunset" can also signify the end. 

This is the first polar bear painting in the new series . Let me know what you think.

New! Into the Sunset 1. 24” x 24” x 1.50” oil painting on canvas. ©Christine Montague 2019 ChristineMontague.com

Polar Bear in Dark water

Dark Water 1 is an oil painting portrait of a beautiful polar bear swimming.  The water is dark, as daylight is diminished in the arctic fall.

Polar Bear in Dark Water. ©Christine MontagueAvailable at Artworld Fine Art Gallery until July 20, 2017. 365 Evans Ave. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

But dark water has another implication. The earth’s bright white polar ice cap, which serves as a giant reflector for the sun’s heat, is being diminished by climate change from carbon emissions. The melting polar ice increases the darkness of the planet’s surface (hence “dark water”), decreases the sun reflected back into space, and increases the heat absorbed by the earth. More ice melts, which creates more dark water,  and so the loop continues.

This loop of sea ice loss and increased dark water endangers the polar bear. Although this magnificent bear is a highly intelligent (think great ape), top-of-the-arctic-food-chain marine mammal (the only bear that is such), and is a powerful swimmer (slightly webbed front paws, highly insulated and buoyant body), it is dependant on the frozen sea for hunting (only seal fat sustains them, not berries or birds’ eggs), resting, feeding (can’t nurse in water) and denning (necessary for mother bears with cubs, semi-hibernation, and to ride out storms).  The increase of the period of open water from spring to fall, and the distance between ice tops in winter, leaves the polar bear and its cubs vulnerable to starvation, attack, and drowning.

The polar bear in Dark Water 1 gazes back upon her path, her body twisted as if in question.

It is up to the viewer to imagine how far outside the picture frame the next ice floe waits, and whether or not, until this moment, her journey was a solitary one.

Shrodinger's Cat, er, Polar Bear

A Polar Bear Cub Painting

The polar bear cub painting below,  is the second in my Sink/Swim series of polar bear  oil paintings. This painting comments on  sea ice loss and its negative effect on the polar bear habitat. 

Sinking or Swimming?

©Christine Montague. Sink/Swim 2. 12" x 6" oil painting. 

Climate change has decreased the amount of sea ice necessary for the mother bears to hunt seals, feed their young, and sometimes den. The season of open water from spring to fall has increased, delaying the opportunity to hunt. Cubs do not yet have that great insulating layer of fat and so the mother bear must carry the baby bears on her back as she swims to the next ice top.  These trips  are not always successful. Polar bear cubs just simply vanish along the route, and sometimes the mothers do, too.

The bear cub above, does not seem distressed. Like with the experiment Schrodinger's Cat, it is up to the viewer's thoughts about what this bear's state of being is.

For my online gallery of polar bear art – paintings and portraits, please visit ChristineMontague.com