Friend bear asks Husburr "Uhh... Is she ok?" while looking at a slumped sitting Holly bear with a blank silly expression. Husburr leans forward and says "Hmmm not sure".

Husburr leans in and lifts Holly bear's ear as if to look inside it, her expression and pose hasn't changed. Friend bear looks confused.

The image inside Holly's head is a deflated brain leaking air, a miniature Holly is frantically attempting to pump it up with a manual bike pump.

Husburr steps back and crosses his arms saying: "Looks like she's suffering from 'Did too much stuff' Don't worry she'll be back on her feet eventually. Friend bear understandingly pets Holly on the head sympathetically. Holly still hasn't moved.

Current mood right now during finals 😅 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear in the first corner of the square is cringing asking "Woah where are we?, Husburr examining the space says "I dunno! What are these walls?" in the second square Holly is looking panicky shouting "This is so cramped! I'm getting claustrophobic!" Husburr turns as she presses back against her saying "Hey now-" but is cut off by Holly shouting "I GOTTA GET OUT!!" in the third panel. Husburr looking worried as she charges away fast on all fours. In the fourth panel Holly crashes into the screen the glass splintering from her impact with a CRAK! Husburr rubbing his head says: "Oh.. It's a window..."

Another experimental comic format from 2022! The classic Insta foursquare 🪟🐻 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

The bear minimum (as a newspaper layout comic strip): An adult off screen says to young Holly bear: "Don't put all your eggs in the same basket! Young Holly replies "I won't!" while carrying an armful of eggs, she carefully places her first egg in the 'drawing' basket. The next basket along says 'computing'. 20 years later (spongebob voice) a healthcare professional panda looking concerned says: "You need to stop doing art for work, what other skills do you have?" Holly looks anxious, her paw bandaged "Uhm-" she turns and looks at the skills baskets "Uhhh...." she says while sweating nervously looking at an overflowing 'drawing' skills basket. All the rest being either empty or not enough eggs put in them. Holly bear looks even more stressed as she realizes what she did thinking "Oh no".

Another experimental comic format from 2022! I attempted a Sunday funnies/newspaper strip 🐻🥚 Don't put all your eggs in the same basket! #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Typed read from right to left like proper manga. Title: The Bear Minimum; framed by a rose and a pawprint. Short panel of a door opening with a click. Holly and Husburr enter the house covered in grocery bags looking tired. Holly bear says: "Haaa finally home! The grocery shopping trip was exhausting!" Husburr agrees: "Yeah the store was just too busy. 3 Montage panels of putting away all the groceries.

Typed read from right to left like proper manga. Holly bear slumps back against the wall looking haggard, covering her face with a paw: "Should we make dinner now? Ugh I don't wanna..." she whinges. A large paw kabedon's the wall beside her and she asks "H-Husburr-kun?" in confusion. A perspective panel shot of Husburr leaning in, his face hidden asking 'Instead. Hows about we do 'it'? Holly seems stunned.

Typed read from right to left like proper manga. Close up panel of the bears with anime styled eyes, floral borders insinuating the romance of the moment. Husburr says: "I think we've earned ourselves a good time" Holly is blushing, her heart pounding across the panels. Husburr leans in and asks "Don't you know how long I've been waiting?". Blushing Holly says "B-but". Husburr pulls her into an embrace and tells her: "If you say yes, I won't hold back you know" she smiles as she hugs him back, shyly saying: "Ok let's do 'it'"

Typed read from right to left like proper manga. "Thanks Wifey-san you're the best!!" Husburr exclaims pushing her back. "Eh?" Holly thinks with confusion. "I'll be back in a bit" Husburr races off towards the car, leaving an even more confused Holly behind. 30 Minutes later (spongebob voice) Holly and Husburr are seated on the couch, Husburr is stuffing his face with pizza while a mortified Holly realized her assumptions were wrong. Final bubble reads: Apparently 'It' was ordering pizza and watching anime for the rest of the evening.

In 2022 I challenged myself to do #TheBearMinimum in other comic formats for fun! 🐻 Here's the romance manga adaptation perfect for Valentines day ❤️💐 ;) read it right to left! #Oldbearcomics

Holly bear taking a photo of her two friends saying 'Looking Good guys!' as they pose for the camera

One friend asks 'Come take a photo with us', 'Yeah!' the other echos. 'Alright' Holly agrees reluctantly.

The photo on the phone reveals two very cute looking bears and a horribly unphotogenic Holly bear.

Holly looking at the phone with distaste says: 'Yeah im gonna go ahead and delete this...'

Oh to be one of those photogenic ✨aesthetic✨ artsy types. There's a reason I never do those art vs artist posts 🙅📸 #Oldbearcomics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: A lot of depression and anxiety can be caused by NEGATIVE THOUGHT SPIRALS. When you think of something negative and it leads to another negative thought, until you are in a deep hopeless pit or even a panic attack. Art depicts: Holly bear walking on all fours with a dark smokey spiral hovering over her upset face

Text reads: Quite often that negative thought is a conclusion that you have jumped to, based on your emotions at the time. Like: (thought bubble) I'm Terrible. Maybe you have told yourself this many times before, so you don't question it and accept it as the truth. Art depicts: Holly bear sitting looking slumped over and depressed.

Text reads: This is 'black and white thinking', that you are either good or bad as a whole. Say your "I'm terrible" thought is a -bad- statement. Even if you know it is bad you still believe it is true- Art depicts: an inverted Holly bear looks back at a regular one. Depicting black and white thinking.

Text reads: What would be a -good- statement? The polar opposite to what you believe you are at the current time. (Speech bubble) I'm Awesome!. However reality tends to be gray... Art depicts: Holly bear standing on two legs shouting that she is awesome.

Still a very important lesson for me to remember 🐻👉 Negative thought spirals and how to stop them (1 of 2) #TheBearMinimum #OldBearComics #Mentalhealth

🔥 BlueSky trending hashtags (30m):

#totp #thearchers #fcf #gh #fatfur #furryart #art #nsfw #ofmd #fatcockfriday #fursuitfriday #youdrewmealovelyframe #abdlart #thebearminimum #oldbearcomics

🚀 BlueSky trending hashtags (15m):

#fcf #totp #fatcockfriday #art #nsfw #thebearminimum #oldbearcomics #gh #abdlart #scalieabdl #gay #abdl #fursuit #youdrewmealovelyframe #furry

A canine holds up their reference sheet looking regretful and saying: "man my character is just a black dog... It must be really boring to draw...". Holly bear is racing up from the side huffing and puffing yelling "Hold UP!"

holly bear grabs the black dog by the shoulders, leaning in close with intent she says: "Are you kidding me!?" That's my favorite type of character to draw!" the dog says "Huh??" looking overwhelmed by Holly's intensity

Holly bear grabs the black dog into the buzz lightyear meme reference pose. Saying "Think about it- Your design is realistic, something people can admire in their day to day lives. It has broad appeal to many"

Holly bear continues saying: "Often people try to make their character designs represent them exactly, or strive for maximum 'originality'. While those differences can be fun to draw, the design will appeal mostly to the commissioner & a handful of others." Holly bear holds up two refs, one belonging to the black dog, the other a hyper complicated sparkledog design. She finishes saying: "Your character's 'simplicity' transcends that and I love it!" the black dog looks reassured and pleased by the compliment.

Some folks talk down their characters to me as "Just a grizzly" etc. Honestly I loved working with characters like that! Many animal artists long to be paid to draw wildlife with charm! 🐻🌲 So shout out to the people with simple, naturalistic designs. I dig ya ;) #Oldbearcomics #TheBearMinimum

A black bear gestures towards Holly hanging above themselves and a panda, saying "Ah Mistletoe" as they lean in amorously towards the kissy panda.

Suddenly Holly bear is between them, stopping their smooch with a paw on each nose. Saying "Wait a sec you guys- That's not mistletoe, that's holly". The panda and the black bear look surprised.

Holly bear unhooks the holly decoration and replaces it with Mistletoe saying: "See holly has spikey leaves and red berries. While mistletoe has smooth leaves and white berries" The panda and the black bear look confused at her specificity while she attaches the holly decoration to her ear like an accessory.

Holly bear didn't realize she was hanging up the mistletoe over her head and is grumpy as both the panda and the black bear ignore her educational PSA & smooch her on each cheek.

Is it Holly or Mistletoe? This PSA brought to you by bears named HOLLY! 🐻🎄 #TheBearMinimum #Oldbearcomics

Holly bear contentedly admiring falling autumn leaves, thinking 'Ah Autumn... beautiful colors perfect temperatures-' she stops mid thought, catching a scent with a big sniff. Eyes concerned she thinks '...no'

Holly bear flips around with a shocked expression yelling out loud: 'NO STAY BACK! IT'S TOO SOON!'

Holly bear frantically waves her paws, pleading: 'I'M NOT READY! NO PLEASE NOOO!'

There is a large FWOMP of snow that covers Holly bear and the environment all around her completely.

I don't live in a place with much snow anymore but I know it is coming for you, or is already there >:) 🌨️ #OldbearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear stands in a supermarket, looking at days after Halloween candy on sale. She says: "Man what a good Halloween! I love that spooky fall feel-". She is distracted by distant music playing 'Holly jolly Christmas' & asks (afraid) "Wait what was that?"

Holly bear takes off screaming "No! Not now!" as too early Christmas decorations put out by the store move in aggressively towards her. 'I don't know if there'll be snow but have a cup of cheer' sounds in the background louder now as the song continues.

A desperate Holly bear struggles to get through the store's door screaming "HELP! It's got me!!" as her claws scrape the doorframe, she is being pulled back in by the Christmas decorations. Holly Jolly Christmas continues to play louder.

Holly bear is yanked back inside as the door slams on her, trapped in the store. Ominously the last refrain of 'Holly jolly Christmas' seeps loudly through the shut door.

I can feel the Christmas noose beginning to tighten all too soon 🎃🙅🎄 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: I strive to make visually appealing art! Art that shows off my years of practice & love for the creatures, shape and color used in each piece. Holly bear stands proudly by an artwork with a love heart.

Text reads: Or art that will connect with people & convey the depth of my feelings and emotions. Art that could guide them, inspire them, or just give them the sense that they are not alone... Holly bear holds the spark of inspiration close to her chest, looking serene and contemplative.

Text reads: These are the goals that shape my work! Lofty as they are, sometimes I just want to drop all pretenses and- (the sentence cuts off) Holly bear looking over her shoulder and tapping her claws together nervously.

Holly bear drawing a messy silly pose with no meaning, just for the fun of it.

Since I've been at college I barely have the mental space to conceptualize good art, or challenge myself to make something detailed and not quickly finished. The sillies are all I have right now & it feels very unbalanced creatively. I can feel my skills atrophying 🥲 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear poses thoughtfully as spirits moan spookily all around her. Text reads: I don't have many true, scary stories to tell. I'm only a little superstitious & have yet to encounter anything paranormal that I can remember. However there was this one time...

Text reads: We were hiking out in the woods off trail. Husburr & I, plus our friend and dog. A mountainous area with pretty dense foliage. We came out into a small grass clearing & I stopped to admire it, while the guys went on ahead. Just for a minute.

Holly bear stands with her fur prickling up, looking scared. Text reads: Out of nowhere I was struck by an inescapable feeling of danger. All the hair on my body stood on end & my adrenaline started firing! There was nothing that I could see or hear to make me feel this way. My brain was screaming that if I stayed there death was coming for me.

Text reads: I took off and caught up with the others very rapidly. Confused about what had made me feel so sure, that something was wrong in that clearing. I can still remember the sensation a decade later... Like something was stalking me.

One of the spookiest sensations is that of feeling watched; when you can't see anyone looking at you 🌲👻 #OldbearComics #TheBearMinimum

"EEEEE Pumpkins!" Holly bear's head is turning to and fro excitedly as she holds up her paws like she can barely contain herself "Decorative corn and gourds!!" she shouts

Holly bear skidding into frame, waving her paws and shouting "Fun Halloween decorations!" Infront of her are dangling cardboard bats, a fake tombstone with a zombie hand and a wolf skeleton with inexplicable ears.

"Beautifully colored leaves!!!!" Holly bear continues to exclaim at all the wonderful Autumn sights, her eyes big and sparkling and her paws squishing her cheeks.

Some happy/cheeky eyes shine from within the darkness of an impromptu fort having been built with all the items Holly was exclaiming over. The fort has a wood plank sign that says: 'Fall fort' + 'No Christmas allowed'.

Let me keep my Halloweeny vibes! 🎃🦇🍂 No Christmas allowed 🎅🚫 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear sitting on a couch looking at an image called genericfurrylady.png saying "Eh not my thing..."

Holly bear sitting on a couch, starting to take interest in the image she is looking at called: Naturalisticanthro .bmp saying: "Hmm getting closer"

Holly bear sitting on a couch, leaning forward as she gets engrossed in viewing the next image Snarlywerewolf .png saying: "Now you're talking!"

Holly bear sitting on the edge of her couch, yelling excitedly at the image being displayed 'justawolfstandingthere .jpg' saying "HELL YEAH!!!"

Animals and Weres! I just think they're neat ;) 🫴🐺 the more humanistic an anthropomorphic animal is, the less my personal preference for it aesthetically #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear sits at a nature vista, looking out and up

Husburr approaches Hollybear and asks "Hey are you ok?" he seems concerned because she is just sitting and staring so hard. She holds paw like 'wait a second' as a leaf detaches from a branch above her.

Holly bear does a huge gasp as the first leaf falls from the tree right infront of her.

"Oh I'm fabulous!" Hollybear replies belatedly to Husburr's inquiry, walking off with a scarf on, a pumpkin spice latte in one hand and a Halloween decorated tore on the other arm. Husburr face-plams asking "Where did yo- ugh never mind".

Happy Autumn Equinox! 🍂🍁
#TheBearMinimum #OldBearComics

A moon bear tells Holly bear: "Love what you've done with your fur! Very cute! Holly seems startled and blushing, replies: "Oh! th-thanks?"

As the moon bear leaves. Holly bear clutches her face with an embarrassed but pleased looking expression thinking: "Oh my!"

A while later Holly bear returns to her house still blushing and looking faintly embarrassed. Entering the door.

Husburr laying on the couch with a wry expression asks: "Why are you blushing?" Holly bear stopping by him replies: "Someone complimented me and I wasn't ready for it!"

Oh god the lady at the physio office called me pretty & the ‘Whaaaaaat?!’ Of disbelief that exited me may have reached a higher register of squeaky than I intended 😳 #Oldbearcomics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: "When you buy an Original or a print/sticker/merch from an artist you are buying a: PRODUCT. You know exactly what you are getting, quality control has already happened. The artist usually does not sell the rights to the image when selling a product." A drawing of Holly bear Holding up an original artwork on paper, winking with a loveheart.

Text reads: When you buy a Commission from an artist, you are purchasing a: SERVICE. The artist is using their skilled time to create your idea. The quality will vary and the finished work may turn out differently than expected due to interpretation. The artist still retains the rights to this artwork unless you bought them additionally.

A reminder had me thinking again about artist work and I made this little info thing 🎨 Too many people think of commissions as 'buying a product' rather than what it actually is: A service by the artist/Work for hire ✍️🐻 #Oldbearcomics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: When I was a kid, I had some pretty strong ideas of what I would know how to do as an adult - A young Holly bear thinking thought bubbles

The thought bubble fills out the panel Text reads: Such as: Knowing how to drive. How to dress well and make myself look fabulous. Being self sufficient. Having a stable career and bringing home the bacon. Art depicts Holly bear driving a car, dressed up in a fancy dress and hat combo, fanning out a wad of cash while smirking

Text reads: What I actually know is: To cook food adequately but only if I like it. Holly bear is drawn working the cook top, licking her lips. How to pay bills and manage the meager money we have. Holly bear looking stressed and tired while filling out a cheque

Text reads: How to draw a cock in exquisite detail. Holly bear looks concerned and suspicious looking over her shoulder at you as she draws a beautifully blushing detailed rooster on paper.

We all end up 'adulting' differently ;D 🐓 #Oldbearcomics #Thebearminimum

Husburr and Hollybear out in mountainous terrain, walking forward confidently. Husburr says: "I can't wait to get back to nature on this 4 hour hike!" Hollybear says: "HELL YEAH! Let's do this!"

Mere seconds later Hollybear trips on a rock, faceplanting on the ground while Husburr looks shocked.

Husburr helps Holly up asking: "Jeeze are you OK? Do you want to turn back?" (from starting the hike). Holly bear looks disheveled and grumpy but says: "No I'm fine... let's do this!"

- 5 hours later - Husburr and Hollybear both look dirty, sweaty and disheveled as they are returning the way they came. Holly bear looks more worse for wear, leaning on Husburr while limping on a painful ankle. Husburr says: "Mistakes were made", Hollybear adds: "Heh.... worth it"

I hope you're all getting out there for your nature walkies (I was before the dang heat hit!) #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear says: "Ok Molly lets go for a waaAAAAAAAAAA-"! the word is cut off as he is holding onto a leash with Molly the dog bouncing forward enthusiastically, she is tugged forward.

Holly bear shouts "NO MOLLY" as she hauls on the leash, trying to stop Molly from killing an innocent raccoon. Molly froths at the mouth with murderous desire.

Holly bear shouts: "Stop! Why are you like this??" as Molly frantically leans her face towards a fast driving car as if to sniff or bite it. Molly's thought bubble says: "Must greet car with face!"

As if to answer Holly for all of her choices Molly turns around and in a creepy voice announces "I SERVE NONE BUT KORROK". Holly bear looks nervous at this. (It is a John Dies at the End by David Wong book reference)

In honor of my inlaw's dog Molly who passed today. These were some of my experiences when trying to walk her in her prime 😅 RIP Molly you energetic goof. #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: Some people hate it when they can't put you into a box Art shows: A Sun bear and brown bear are attempting to shove Holly bear into a box that is labelled "Normal"

Text reads: If parts of your Identity don't fit the mold or are fluid others can get intolerant fairly quickly... Art shows: Holly bear standing looking awkward under a spectrum bar with the arrow pointed at the middle between the two sides being Asexual or Sexual. The bears in front of her who posed the question (of which she one she is) seem confused and annoyed asking "Which is it?" when she can't pick either of the two.

Text reads: Even other marginalized people may not accept you if you're too 'weird' by their standards. Art shows: Holly bear standing below a spectrum bar with Male and Female gender at each end. Looking between the both of them anxiously. The bears infront of her who posed the question of which she is seem astonished and tell her "You can only pick one or none!"

Text reads: What is weird now, might become 'normal' later, or atleast understood. Art shows: Holly bear shrugging holding up two tacos, a soft one and a hard shell one doing the Old El Paso meme asking "Why not both?"

I am already gratified that the hopeful message at the end of this comic is becoming true. Gender fluidity and Ace-spec are far more understood and talked about since I drew this one ❤️🐻 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum #Pride

Holly bear looking out the window at the nice day outside, saying: "Looks like a nice day for a walk!"

Holly bear takes her first few steps outside

Holly bear starts rapidly melting from the heat of the sun

Holly bear reduced to a melted puddle says "I didn't think it was this hot..."

I was just in Mexico for a trip and boy howdy it was HOTTTTT! ☀️ #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: When I was young, something changed & I can't pinpoint when. Whenever I looked in the mirror I didn't see me... I saw some horrible creature. Art depicts: A picasso styled young Holly staring

Text reads: Nothing that was on my inside, matched my outside. This dysmorphia strangled my perception of myself & what I assumed other people thought of me. Art depicts: A differently styled young Holly pulling open the fabric of herself and stardust spilling out

Text reads: I still wanted to express myself in art, but the thought of attempting to replicate my physical features made me sick. Art depicts: young Holly on hands and knees in a cubism-esque style her expression looks frustrated

Text reads: So I drew myself as an animal. I was a wolf, all hard lines and jagged teeth, cloaked in soft fur. The wolf was as far from my human appearance as I could get. Art depicts: Holly as a wolf now in a different style, her expression snarling.

Dysmorphia & why I started drawing myself as an animal
(1 of 2) #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Holly bear licking her lips while she looks at a candy box 'Choco Bitz'

A zoom in to the Choco Bitz box: It says Share Size in the corner. Ingredients are listed as: Milk chocolate, a metric F***ton of sugar (may contain deez nuts) plus the same written in french so you know I'm Canadian

Holly bear grins wickedly while tearing open the packet saying "Pfft! Share size? more like-" the speech bubble cuts off

"BEAR SIZE!" she finishes in the next speech bubble while pouring the whole candy packet into her mouth.

I hope you don't have to share your chocolate this Easter ;)
#OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum 🐻🍫

Young holly bear looking between two artworks of lions. One is realism and the other stylized (Simba from TLK). Holly bear is saying: "Look at this amazing artwork! It's so realistic. Ah but this one is awesome too... a really expressive face" as she looks back and forth

Young Holly bear sitting down with a blank paper in front of her, holding a pencil saying: "I'm so inspired to draw"

The result of young Holly bear's drawing is a meld of the two earlier styles 'Stylized realism'.

Young Holly bear does the ancient 'GENIUS!' meme. (I am using it the way it was intended slightly mockingly because of course I did not 'discover' or come up with the semi realism style ;) )

I'll always favor the middle ground between realism and cartoony as many have before me 🐻🎨
#OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

An australian spectacled bear tells me (aged 7) "This is proper bush tucker! The witchetty grub is an excellent source of protein. Young Holly bear is gagging and saying "Blegh!" in response, holding a paw up while the australian bear holds up the grubs

Adult Holly bear looking at a poster which says "The future of food! Crickets and more!" depicting a bag of cricket flour and cooked spiders. I look sick to my stomach and say "Urgh"

Husburr notices Holly bear stuffing her face at the shrimp platter

Husburr smugly tells Holly bear "You know shrimp are basically bugs of the sea-" getting cut off as I scream angrily with a full mouth "Don't you ruin this for me!!"

I will continue to be a hypocrite about this but I am glad the option exists 😂 🍤=🐛 #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

Text reads: Life will take you down many roads you never expected to walk. Image depicts: Holly bear walking a winding road on all fours, coming to a sign post that says past/future

Text reads: Sometimes you end up in very dark places & all your planning... effort... seems to be for naught... Image depicts: Holly bear still walking on all fours looking scared as she makes her way through a dark and thorny forest

Text reads: I am not the person I wanted to be when I set out on Life's path but... Image depicts: Holly bear looking disappointed and a bit ashamed

Text reads: Despite it all I'm still here Image depicts: Holly bear sitting in the grass in front of a patch of flowers looking grateful

Most of the goals I had as a young adult went awry. I stayed true to my core desires but my more ambitious plans fell apart. My fault & the conditions of the current day... but I keep going. Even when I don't know where the path will take me next & I hope you will too! #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum

I get some interesting reactions from people when I tell them I don't drink or use drugs Artwork depicts friend bear asking: "Whaaat? Are you religious or something?" Holly bear says "...no?" friend bear asks: "How do you have any fun?!"

When I was a teen, my mom told me how her side of the family seemed to have "addictive personalities". Alcoholism and overdose had effected them. This and some personal experiences led to my decision.

Peer pressure was not as bad as people said it would be... My friends didn't really push me & I could tell they just wanted to share. Art depicts a bunch of friends pushing alchohol and drugs into Holly bear's face she looks amused and a little put upon saying: "Thanks but I'm good guys"

Some called me boring but if they were any good friend of mine they'd know I didn't need any help to act silly at a party! Art depicts Holly bear dancing silly with her two inebriated friends

So long as you're being safe I won't judge what you consume 🐻👍 likewise don't judge me for abstaining #OldBearComics #TheBearMinimum