[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Boozy the Texting Bear, mixed media, 35x30x16 in., 2011"][/caption] I was inspired to continue the stuffed animal series for a juried exhibition called "Unfettered" at the Visual Art Exchange (VAE) in Raleigh. I'd been sitting on the bear on a tricycle running into a wall idea for about a year. This seemed like the perfect outlet.

The surfing mercenary rabbit (Bugs Gunny) was created for the group installation at the VAE in 2006. I had so much fun with the rabbit I thought I should give it another shot. Unfortunately and to my amazed bemusement, Boozy the Texting Bear wasn't accepted for the show. If that piece wasn't unfettered I don't know what is. I'm not bitter though.

I must thank the VAE for inspiring what turned out to be six weeks of some of the best times I've had creating art. There are 10 stuffed animal pieces completed to date. I have two more pieces ready to complete but I've shifted my focus back to painting, unless someone is willing to give me an exhibition for them. I'm sitting by the phone. I have all day.