FeedPaul Theodore Puts Woof In Every Design
Written by NetBear on December 11, 2008 – 2:00 pm -OK, I’ll admit it. Browsing through EBay is a habit hobby of mine. You never know what cool, fun things you’ll find. One day I came across an EBay parody t-shirt that was just so awesome I had to buy one. The artist who did my EBear t-shirt design was Paul Theodore, also known as Ted.
Ted is a talented freelance graphic designer and illustrator. And with the help of his husbear he has created a whole line of bear-themed t-shirt designs that are sure to tickle your funny bone.
Bearotic caught-up with Ted earlier this fall and asked him a couple questions about his background and how he comes up with his excellent bear designs.
How long have you been doing graphic design?
I’ve been a working graphic designer since 1980. Two long term jobs with agencies, and lots of freelancing along the way; including a monthly (for 2 years) one panel comic in the Leather Journal called “Top n Bottom”, illustrations for a book “The Odor of Love”, and currently I’m freelancing freelancing and working on a line of greeting cards.
At what age did you discover your artistic talents?
As a little kid, I could draw Saturday morning cartoons and comics from the Sunday paper; Popeye, Flintstones (I can do a mean Wilma!), etc. But I always got low grades in art at school. Not until high school did I realize, due to a persistent lesbian art teacher, that it was something to pursue. After graduation it was on to art school, and the cold cruel world.
What medium(s) do you work in?
Marker and colored pencils mostly. But lately it’s been on the Mac, colorizing hand drawn, black line illustrations after scanning. A lot of the shirt designs are completely computer generated. The Mac has changed the look of some of my art, but I still enjoy doing things the old fashioned way.
You seem to be pretty tapped into the bear lifestyle. Are you a bear? How did your own bear awareness come to be?
Textbook case. Bearded since my late teens, never really felt comfortable around thinner, prettier cha-cha queens. Discovered the now defunct New England Bears in the mid 90’s. I felt at home with all those big, burly, hairy men.
Where do you get your inspiration for your fun t-shirt designs?
A lot of the inspiration and ideas come from my handsome husband Paul Sheldon. He has great ideas! We are both named Paul, which can get confusing. So I go by Ted. An idea can come from anywhere really, like Starbucks. That logo was just begging for a parody (BearBucks). I’m a big ol’ pop culture maven, so movies, TV, cartoons, anything current can inspire a design.
Ted and husbear Paul in Provincetown.
How did the Cranky Bear logo/line come to be? There must be a story behind that fun logo.
The Cranky Zone began when my friends and I started attending Bear Week in Provincetown several years ago. I’d make up a design or two for each of us to wear. Cranky Bear was one of the first. Guys started asking where the shirts came from. So I started bringing extras & selling them out of my beach bag. EBay seemed to be the easiest next step. I get such a kick knowing there are Bears all over the country wearing these designs! The shirts are great ice breakers at a Bear events.
Are there any funny stories behind any of the other logos?
One of the earlier designs… Cranky Bear bending over with the caption “Stick It In” was done custom for my friend Sparky to wear on a trip to Hillside. He did meet someone, his partner Bill, and they’ve been together since. Was it the the shirt? Who can say.
Which of your designs have been the most popular?
Cranky Bear’s “Bite My Fuzzy Butt” sells very well, as does Desperate Husbears, eBear, and BearBucks is really popular lately! It fluctuates. New designs are usually added in the spring, in time for t-shirt weather. But you never know when inspiration will strike!
If you’ve got a special bear in your life who’s hard to shop for, or a friend you like to joke with, Ted’s designs make great gifts. Or if you’re like me, you can just start hoarding them for yourself. 
Are you ready to get your own piece of Paul Theodore bear gear? Here are the t-shirt designs that Ted is selling right now on EBay. Use BUY IT NOW and get ‘em in time for Christmas!
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