Bound in Ink

Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Robert Harmon aka JrBear. He is the artist known as Bound in Ink.

 

 

TheCompleteBear:  Greetings, tell us a little about you.

 

BoundinInk: Okie dokie I'm 32 I live in New Jersey I work as a computer animator for TV and film for a post production house in Philadelphia.

 

TheCompleteBear:  When did you start the art?

 

BoundinInk: I've been getting that question a lot but, it was actually by accident in 2000.

 

TheCompleteBear:  Go on . . . LOL

 

BoundinInk: For some strange reason I just wanted to step out of "safe zone" in art.  So I started playing around with concepts with bears.  Then I started making pieces for friends.  Sometimes I'd make gift cards, t-shirts, and mouse pads.  It wasn't until 2006 that the work just kind of took a life of its own.

 

 

TheCompleteBear: What medium do you work in?

BoundinInk: Mainly I work in Pen and Ink but, I've been experimenting with splashs of color with water colors and acrylics.

TheCompleteBear:Are you a bear? Admirer?

 

BoundinInk: I identify myself as a bear.  My bound work took off after I started doing ads for the local bear bar in the city the Bike Stop.    Afterwards I was invited to participate in the first Liberty Bears art show.  Then Aphrodite Gallery in Philly asked me to do a show. The online magazine Passionel did an interview and ever since then I've just been doing other shows.  So after all that I made the website to show case the work.

 

TheCompleteBear: What inspires your work?

 

BoundinInk: Most of my inspiration comes from my personal experiences.  Some pieces are based on stories that I hear from friends.  It's that whole love, life, loss kind of thing.

 

TheCompleteBear: Where do you showcase your art?

 

BoundinInk: Well for right now it's been selling mostly at the shows.  I did a show in Albany NY with Bear Albany last November.  I've got another show coming up in April so it's been a tad hectic.  Banging out 25 pieces takes some time. 

 

TheCompleteBear: Banging Who? What? LOL

 

BoundinInk: LOL nice!  Banging my daddy bear.  The first show this year is with the Liberty Bears.  It's their 3rd one.  I'll be displaying 20-25 pieces come this April.

 

TheCompleteBear: So, there is a Mr Bound in Ink?

 

 

BoundinInk: LOL - Yes, there is a Mr Bound.  It's long distance sadly. 

 

TheCompleteBear: Where is he?

 

BoundinInk: He's in Charlotte NC and he's a huge part of my life.  He's a big supporter of the work and damn cute to boot.

 

TheCompleteBear: Does he model for you? How did you meet?  How long has it been?

 

BoundinInk: I'm sure if I asked him to he wouldn't mind.  We met through mutual friends and have known each other for 7 years.  It's just at that time he was in a relationship I was in a relationship.  Though, it's been about 4 months since we decided to finally express our true feelings towards each other.

 

TheCompleteBear: Awww

 

BoundinInk: Yeah, so cute. 

 

TheCompleteBear: So what's next for Bound in Ink?

 

BoundinInk: Hmm.... World bear domination?  Seriously though, I have no idea.  The overwhelming responses have been great and I'm very flattered.  Who knows where Bound In Ink is going to go but, I'm just gonna continue doing my thing and see what happens in the future.

 

 

TheCompleteBear: Any final comments you want to share with the bear world?

 

BoundinInk:  Hmm....Don't get your fur matted?  No I'd like to thank everyone in the community that's been supporting me all these years.  It's been fun and I'll keep making the art so they can all get off!  Hey we all gotta do our part right? 

 

TheCompleteBear: You are a very giving kinda guy!