Bears of the Abbey

Bears of the Abbey was created by Susan and Mark McKay of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose distinctive bears and whimsical creatures became known to collectors for their personality, fine materials, and meticulous handwork.

Susan was the principal bear maker, bringing each character to life through careful construction, expressive faces, imaginative detailing, and a wonderful sense of personality. Mark was also an important part of Bears of the Abbey, and their work was presented under both of their names as they became involved in the wider artist-bear and collector community.

Bears of the Abbey creations were made in a remarkable variety of styles. Some have the warmth and familiarity of traditional teddy bears, while others are wonderfully imaginative animals and fanciful creatures with an almost storybook quality.

Carefully selected mohair and other fine materials give the pieces richness and texture, while thoughtful details such as expressive eyes, hand-stitched features, painted accents, antique-style trims, ribbons, lace, and other embellishments add individuality and character.

One of the qualities I especially enjoy about Bears of the Abbey is the range of personalities in the work. Some characters are gentle and endearing, others mischievous or eccentric, and some seem to belong to an imaginary world all their own. Even the smallest pieces have a surprising amount of expression and detail.

Their work reflects the craftsmanship associated with collectible artist bears, where proportion, materials, expression, and finishing are all considered carefully. Each piece feels individual rather than mass produced, with the small variations and hand-finished details that make artist-made work so appealing.

Over the years, Bears of the Abbey became known among collectors through the artist-bear community, shows, and publications, building a following for creations that were distinctive, beautifully made, and filled with character.

I’m delighted to feature a selection of Bears of the Abbey pieces at Arts&Souls. They represent the imagination and craftsmanship of Susan and Mark McKay and the wonderful variety that makes collectible artist bears so much fun to discover.

Every creature tells a story.