Portrait Of The Bearman, 26" x 18", graphite on paper, 1982. Artist's collection.

This dead-pan portrait of "The Bearman" was conceived in my mind shortly after the hilarity of Bret's initial bear dance performance. I mentioned my idea to Bret and he agreed to sit for me as The Bearman. The satin Nehru jacket was Bret's conception for how this character would dress--with an Eastern and spiritual tinge operating in concert with the subtle humor. In our discussions about our collaboration we decided that The Bearman was both a comedic and tragic figure. Bret agreed to continue our collaboration in a series of photo shoots--the results of which I would make into drawings and paintings.