“Last year’s exhibit by Kristen Throop at The Backstreet Gallery was a most insightful revelation of her keen interest in playfully and lovingly depicting the animal kingdom (cavorting cows and bulls last year, but rabbits, geese and others preceded them) as a surreal model for our own human foibles. Her disciplined and professional approach to her work serves well her limitless creative expression. Back again at Backstreet Gallery this year, she reveals yet another side of her/our personality and, not that we need it, further proof of her significant skills as artist and storyteller.

Her new work continues her psychological exploration, this time with bears as the main subject matter, aptly depicted in a nostalgic Edward Hopper ‘esque’ dream world, once removed from our daily reality. The playfulness is diminished and the canvas size and seriousness is increased, but these are bears after all.”

—Mario Uribe artist and community activist