"Marshmallow Grizzly"

I was very much looking forward to doing this piece until I began. I had no idea a reference photo I took at an animal farm in Montana nearly 10 years ago would still stir up such sad emotions. The photo shoot was an "extra bonus" tagged onto an art workshop. If you paid an extra $150. you would be able to take photos of these many captive animals used in the film industry: Grizzly, Bengal Tiger, Wolves, Bobcats to name a few. We were instructed to bring plenty of film (I had 50 rolls) and to be prepared for this spectacular opportunity to film these animals up close.
My imagination had them all staying in pristine pens or rooms, each being treated like royalty, and having their own private caretaker. I was not at all prepared for what I saw. First was the horrible smell as you approached the farm. It was overwhelming, almost gagging - I'm not sure if it was because they didn't clean the "cages" enough or that so many predators within such close proximity of each other were frantically "over marking" their territory as often as possible. Probably a bit of both. So, there were all these magnificent animals in wire cages. Most were pacing. I was mortified to say the least. When they brought the Grizzly out and started throwing marshmallows to him to get him to do certain gestures - that was it - I was gone. I took about 12 photos in all. None of the other 30 or so people (as far as I could tell) were acting like anything was wrong. I guess I'm just too sensitive or something. I was going to do this piece in pastels, using the beautiful sienna colors of the grizzly. I felt the black and white better portrayed the mood. A grizzly begging for a marshmallow - why couldn't they at least given him something healthy.