This original piece is 16" by 31" and is made from wool and felt (known as needle felting) to create a unique three dimensional art. Adding to the three dimensional aspect of the artwork, embellishments are included in the picture such as waxed linen cord, beads, sticks, leaves and stones. 

Bill and Linda Sumner draw from nature inspired themes including landscape scenes, abstract, animals such as bear, wolf, raven and deer, and plant life. Another major influence on the artwork is the Southwest Native American spiritual and other native symbols such as the spiral symbol meaning the circle of life or journey of life.

Creating their art together has been a way of life for the "Bear Paws" - Bill and Linda Sumner - since their college days at the University of Minnesota over thirty years ago. Their two sons, Josh and Jake, have grown up on the art fair circuit which began as a part-time business and grew into a full-time operation in 1987. Since that time they have shown their wares at many venues across the U.S.

Bill and Linda now live in the central Minnesota woods with white-tail deer, a Scottish Terrier and a cat - plus all the wild critters that live around their home.