Hello and Welcome to the Bear's Den...

I'm Fred Myers, affectionately known to my friends as 'Pa Bear', Jack-of-all-trades and master of none. I have this section here in the Bear's Den so you can sit, relax and learn a little about who I am and why it is that I do what I like to do best...create.

I was born in Michigan in 1948 to Mary Lou Lantzer Myers and Arthur Myers. My Dad was killed when I was only a nine month old baby. From that time on I lived with my Grandparents. Living with them I learned from my Grandfather to love and treasure wood in all it's true splendor. Most of my knowledge of the different woods came from him. He taught me to see the 'art' that is within rather than staring at a log. Because the 'art' within the wood is always and already there, all that has to be done is to remove that which makes it appear as a log. It really is that simple. Whether it is a log, a rock, an eggshell or antler all that has to be done is to uncover those pieces covering the beauty of the 'art' within.

My Grandfather, Ervin Lantzer, was a master when it came to working with wood. Living in Michigan, close to the Bear Archery Company, Ervin would buy scraps of leftover wood from them. These different woods, all different types, colors and grains, came from all over the world. He  worked on the county road commission and when the trees were cleared for the roadway he would collect pieces of the trees and bring them home also. Then my Grandfather would set about removing the parts that made those pieces of wood look oh so plain. He would cut them into 1/8 inch thin slices. He would then cut those slices into triangles, squares and other various shapes. He was just getting started in letting the 'art' show through. My Grandfather took those seemingly plain pieces of wood to almost anyone else and used them to create astounding patterns, pictures and even furniture. Tabletops, cedar chests, cribbage boards, lamps, bowls, gun cabinets, stereo cabinets and even toys for the children were shaped by his hands. Most of the time he would sell his creations for no more than the cost of some of the materials. He even made a pulpit and a communion table for our church.

So I guess you could say that my Grandfather taught me to not just look, but 'see' with more than just my eyes. Some might call it finding the 'soul' of the artwork. To me an understanding of that 'soul' is a key ingredient needed to create. The 'soul' that I refer to is like standing still in the woods and hearing the whisper of God in the wind, the soft trilling song birds singing in the early morn, seeing the twinkling stars in the sky on a clear, summer night, watching the moon glide across the night sky, clouds sliding silently above me or the sounds of children laughing and playing.

That 'soul' is what I draw upon when I sit in front of the workbench. I allow my mind to seek out the natural beauty of the piece in my hands, to bring forth so others can see, what was always there. My hands create and my mind relaxes, what could be better?

Some have told me 'seeing' and creating the things that I do make me talented. I suppose you could call it that, but it was something that my Grandfather taught me and I'm sure that others could be taught as well. It just takes that other very important ingredient...patience.

There is something very special, very dear that could not have been created without help...my family! Without the love, help, guidance, endurance and encouragement of my wife, Linda, of 34 years this work of art could not have come to be. It is a work in progress and although our children are grown and now have children of their own it continues to be something that is 'worked' on by us.

I have to mention my family here, not just because I'm beaming with pride over them, but because they are the essence of who I am. Without telling you about them, I can't tell you about me or what it is that I do. If you were able to crack open every piece of work that I've ever done and get right to the center of it you would find...my family. From my Grandfather right up to my Grandchildren and everyone in between has had a hand in creating right along side of me.

And then there's Taz..the 100 pound black labrador retriever who thinks he's still a puppy, a real terror on paws. Oh there's no doubt that Taz is a member of the family. If you can catch him in a quiet moment he might even smile for you.

As far as the artwork goes, some have called me a master. I prefer to think of myself as working towards perfecting an art. I don't think that I'll ever achieve, or want to, because if I do there wouldn't be anything left to achieve. Whether it's wood burning, metal engraving, glass engraving or egg carving there are no mistakes only chances to expand on your designs.  

Thanks for spending some time with me. Come back again soon, I might have to tell you a bit more another time.

Pa Bear