About Brown Bear Products
Brown Bear Products began in 1998 as a way to share the remarkable talent of Erik David Behnke — an Alaskan artist who experienced Down syndrome and autism, and who found his voice through ink, color, and the wilderness that surrounded him.
His mother, Linda Kay Thompson, has spent her life as both an educator and writer, supporting Erik’s art and building a family business that honors his gifts. Today, Brown Bear Products offers Erik’s prints, cards, books, and journals, all created with deep love and connection to Alaska.
Explore Erik’s Most Beloved Pieces
From iconic wildlife drawings to joyful scenes inspired by rural Alaska, every piece reflects the world Erik grew up in.
Erik’s Story
Raised across remote corners of Alaska — from Lake Clark to Dillingham to the Copper River Valley — Erik grew up surrounded by wildlife, mountains, and the creative encouragement of his family. At 20 years old, during his time at Kenny Lake School, his artistic gift revealed itself in a way that changed the course of his life.
With dedication, support, and countless hours spent drawing animals he knew intimately from the wild, Erik became one of Alaska’s most successful artists with a severe disability. His pen-and-ink artwork has been exhibited across the United States, inspiring audiences from Boston to Manhattan to Phoenix.
