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Welcome to Brown Bear Products or erikbehnke.com P.O. Box 1918 Homer, Alaska 99603 907- 226-2004 |
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| About Erik |
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| Erik is a
young Alaskan
Artist, experiencing Down syndrome and autism. He was born when
his
parents, Steve and Linda, were trapping in the Lake Clark area of
Alaska. His first years were spent wrapped in a sleeping bag,
strapped
in a box on top of a dog sled, piled with all the family's worldy
goods. Life was hard and by age 3, they moved into the fishing
town of
Dillingham, Alaska on the Bristol Bay coast. Years later his mom and dad split up, thus his mom returned to life as a "bush teacher" in rural Alaska. Erik and his younger brother Chris, grew up moving from bush school to school around the state. They saw peninsula grizzly bears, caribou, trumpeter swans, ducks, moose, salmon, beluga and killer whales plus many other animals in the wild as their mother tried to focus attention toward the natural beauty and wildlife of Alaska. Most of his childhood was spent in southwest bush Alaska with infrequent plane trips to "town" (Anchorage) to buy supplies. Colors, coloring books, drawing paper, tracing paper, markers, paints, chalks were always purchased for him by his family since he loved to spend hours in artistic endeavors. No one realized he was teaching himself to draw in the hours he spent each day looking at other art, books, and the world he lived in. For years, mom had dreamed that Erik would someday work as an artist but it seemed impossible due to the level of his disability. In August of 1997, Erik's mom was offered a teaching job "on the road" in the Copper River area. It was perfect since she preferred small school with multiple grades. She, overnight, became Erik's physical education and special education teacher. This was the chance to see if it was possible for him to become a professional artist. The blessing of Kenny Lake was a wonderful dedicated teacher aide, Linda Rutledge. They closely teamed up and continually supported the dream of his mother. They put white drawing paper in front of him with black ink pens and gave him piles of old books filled with wildlife shots. Progress was shockingly fast for him. Soon other artists from the valley were telling them that Erik was a "gifted" artist. As Erik's style developed, mom realized they were entering into terra incognito. All winter the team of three learned about the art profession, asked questions and read everything they could find on art and art publishing. In April of 1998, Erik and mom took his files of drawings to Anchorage art galleries in search of a market. He met the owner of Aurora Fine Art, Diane Louise, and she patiently studied his work. Tears were soon pouring from his mom's eyes as the gallery owner announced, "I would like to be the first gallery to introduce Erik Behnke to the World!" It was a beginning. That summer, 1998, Erik had three professional art shows in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Glennallen. After a busy summer, the family settled into a second cold winter in Kenny Lake where the temperature dropped below 60 below zero. This didn't stop Erik from focusing on his art. He designed the art for the 2001 Special Olympic World Winter Games poster, worked on his coloring book illustrations and signed his first professional contract. Erik finally graduated from tiny Kenny Lake School and now sells his originals, 52 prints, cards and more in nine art galleries, book stores and gift shops. Erik and his mom moved to the art community of Homer in 1999 where he now happily spends 3-5 hours per day doing his art. His art is now all around the world and new markets are being pursued daily. During the years of 2000-2007, he continued to have several art shows each year, not only in Alaska but also in Washington D.C., Spokane, Boston, Kansas City, Denver and Phoenix. More art shows are always being pursued. As the artist for the World Games, the largest sporting event to ever occur in the state of Alaska, his art reached many more countries around the world. In 2005, his coloring book, Alaskan Animal ABC Coloring Book hit the market and can now be purchased on this website, galleries, book stores and at his art shows. In 2006-7 his 13 new cards and 14 new signed and number limited edition prints were added to this website and stores. He continues to travel in the summer around Alaska and the "States" doing art shows during his mothers vacation from school. Erik and his mom's hope is that other parents of children with disabilities will dare to dream of career success like this for their children. Erik and his mother, Linda, participated in fifteen events in the 2007 art and book season. In the summer of 2007, the first edition of Erik's Story, finding his gift's against all odds in rural Alaska, was for sale around Alaska. The second edition will be ready for the summer of 2008. Erik and Linda are having fun traveling to all the happenings. Where will all this lead Erik? Only time will tell. |
Eight
students graduated from tiny Kenny Lake School in 1999. Erik's
contract for the 2001 Special Olympic World Winter Games art was
announced at that time. |
 Ptarmigan Arts, in Homer. Erik was juried into the co-op art gallery in 1999 and his originals, prints, cards, books and coloring books are found there today. |
Erik with his art in Grand Central Station Washington D.C., June 2004 |
 Erik with two art lovers at Arts On The Hill art show in Kansas City, Mo, Sept. 2004 |
 Erik in Phoenix, Arizona, art show 2007
|
 Erik in Lands End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Permanent display) |
 Erik
at the Fairbanks Midnight Sun Festival with Linda Rutledge, his old
friend from Kenny Lake School.
 |
 Erik in the booth at the Talkeetna Moose
Dropping Festival, Talkeetna, Alaska 2007
|
| Home |
About
Erik |
Originals |
Prints |
Books |
Cards |
What's
Up |
Future
BBP |
Links
to Artists |
Orders |
| This site was designed by Linda Kay Thompson. Last
modified 8/13/08 |