Ballygally Bear — Framed Original
Acrylic on paper (Mixed Media 200gsm paper)
All original artwork is shipped free of charge.
Personalised gift note can be added at checkout.
Ballygally Bear (Ballygally Polar Bear, The White Bear).
This quirky and playful character, resides in the village of Ballygally where we have lived as a family for over ten years.
Although ‘The Bear’ is simply a protruding rock, emerging from the shore at the slipway in Ballygally, he has become somewhat iconic over the years since he was painted white, and given his cheeky grin. No-one knows who was the first person to paint The Bear. Everyone has a tale of an ancestor who was the first. Every year, locals give him a fresh coat of paint and touch up his smile.
Ballygally Bear has become something of a local attraction, and families can be seen stopping off in the small carpark to get a photo beside this friendly guy. What is most impressive are the views across the bay to Ballygally Castle and the Sallagh Hills, with the crashing waves in Winter, or the setting sun in Summer, you can be sure of a memorable photo.
The Bear now has its very own Triathlon named after him. The White Bear triathlon takes place in August. The challenging open water swimming conditions, the relentless cycling route through the Glens of Antrim, and a gradual ascending trail run up to Scawt Peak then concluding with a descent through the Sallagh Braes - are all part of your journey to the finish line at the ‘White Bear Rock’.
The inspiration
‘The Bear’ is very special to me and my family. In the early days of moving to Ballygally, I pushed a double buggy with my twins boys along to visit the bear and give him a wave. As the years continued, a walk to ‘The Bear and Back’ became our ritual. As our boys grew up, they toddled, then walked and I recall the first bike rides to The Bear - clambering across the rocks to pat him on the head and say hello.
Acrylic on paper (Mixed Media 200gsm paper)
All original artwork is shipped free of charge.
Personalised gift note can be added at checkout.
Ballygally Bear (Ballygally Polar Bear, The White Bear).
This quirky and playful character, resides in the village of Ballygally where we have lived as a family for over ten years.
Although ‘The Bear’ is simply a protruding rock, emerging from the shore at the slipway in Ballygally, he has become somewhat iconic over the years since he was painted white, and given his cheeky grin. No-one knows who was the first person to paint The Bear. Everyone has a tale of an ancestor who was the first. Every year, locals give him a fresh coat of paint and touch up his smile.
Ballygally Bear has become something of a local attraction, and families can be seen stopping off in the small carpark to get a photo beside this friendly guy. What is most impressive are the views across the bay to Ballygally Castle and the Sallagh Hills, with the crashing waves in Winter, or the setting sun in Summer, you can be sure of a memorable photo.
The Bear now has its very own Triathlon named after him. The White Bear triathlon takes place in August. The challenging open water swimming conditions, the relentless cycling route through the Glens of Antrim, and a gradual ascending trail run up to Scawt Peak then concluding with a descent through the Sallagh Braes - are all part of your journey to the finish line at the ‘White Bear Rock’.
The inspiration
‘The Bear’ is very special to me and my family. In the early days of moving to Ballygally, I pushed a double buggy with my twins boys along to visit the bear and give him a wave. As the years continued, a walk to ‘The Bear and Back’ became our ritual. As our boys grew up, they toddled, then walked and I recall the first bike rides to The Bear - clambering across the rocks to pat him on the head and say hello.
Acrylic on paper (Mixed Media 200gsm paper)
All original artwork is shipped free of charge.
Personalised gift note can be added at checkout.
Ballygally Bear (Ballygally Polar Bear, The White Bear).
This quirky and playful character, resides in the village of Ballygally where we have lived as a family for over ten years.
Although ‘The Bear’ is simply a protruding rock, emerging from the shore at the slipway in Ballygally, he has become somewhat iconic over the years since he was painted white, and given his cheeky grin. No-one knows who was the first person to paint The Bear. Everyone has a tale of an ancestor who was the first. Every year, locals give him a fresh coat of paint and touch up his smile.
Ballygally Bear has become something of a local attraction, and families can be seen stopping off in the small carpark to get a photo beside this friendly guy. What is most impressive are the views across the bay to Ballygally Castle and the Sallagh Hills, with the crashing waves in Winter, or the setting sun in Summer, you can be sure of a memorable photo.
The Bear now has its very own Triathlon named after him. The White Bear triathlon takes place in August. The challenging open water swimming conditions, the relentless cycling route through the Glens of Antrim, and a gradual ascending trail run up to Scawt Peak then concluding with a descent through the Sallagh Braes - are all part of your journey to the finish line at the ‘White Bear Rock’.
The inspiration
‘The Bear’ is very special to me and my family. In the early days of moving to Ballygally, I pushed a double buggy with my twins boys along to visit the bear and give him a wave. As the years continued, a walk to ‘The Bear and Back’ became our ritual. As our boys grew up, they toddled, then walked and I recall the first bike rides to The Bear - clambering across the rocks to pat him on the head and say hello.
About the artist
Suzanne is a Northern Irish artist based in Ballygally, a small coastal village on the Antrim coast road near Larne. She paints from experiences which are often rooted in family memories. Her artwork celebrates the warmth of people, nature, sea, forests and hills.
Suzanne studied painting at art college in 2000. However, she abandoned her paint brush to pursue her studies and a career in design.
Staying in the creative space, Suzanne found herself as a full time designer since graduating in 2004. During which time she married Steven and became a mum to twin boys in 2011 - life got pretty busy!
After what can be described as ‘burnout’ just a few months before the pandemic in 2020, Suzanne found solace in nature and calm in the canvas again.
Art has been transformative for Suzanne over the past number of years and her wish is that the artwork she makes will bring emotion, peace, calm and most of all colour to your home.
All images are copyright @suzannereidart