My Top Ten – Polar Bear Paintings

Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) are magical creatures, loved by many. They are some of my favourite polar bear paintings. If you are in Canada, Manitoba is the place to go to see this largest land mammal, in the northern city of Churchill. Polar Bear symbolism and meaning varies amongst tribes. The Polar Bear teaches endurance and resourcefulness, a powerful and wise spirit animal. These white beauties often stir deep emotions in humans, especially now as their habitats are disappearing due to global warming. The Polar Bear is seen as a guiding spirit when facing dramatic life transitions, especially at the onset of a new path or major change in life. Seems timely as we are just coming through a challenging two years under the Covid pandemic and life as we know it is new again.

Here are my top ten paintings featuring this magnificent white beauty of Northern landscapes.

Polar Bear Paintings draw attention to their changing habitats

Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem and the planet as it is to polar bears who rely on the ice to hunt, mate, travel and sometimes den. The main threat to these bears is sea ice land loss from climate warming. Internationally polar bears are listed as a vulnerable species and one that is being challenged to adapt quickly right now, worldwide. These bears can currently be found in five nations including Canada, US (Alaska), Russia, Greenland and Norway. My goal in painting these symbolic narratives about polar bears is to draw attention to their changing habitats and honour their beauty and resilience. The are special, magical creatures to observe and protect.

See more paintings about The Great White North here.