Paul Robinson Creates Striking Pink Bear Mural for SKOG42 Concept Store in Karlsruhe

Last week, I travelled to Karlsruhe — a vibrant city in southwest Germany — to create a 6 x 4 metre mural featuring the Pink Bear for SKOG42, a high-end concept store known for its cool, minimalist aesthetic.

The store’s owner, designer Evelyn Engel, first discovered the Bear in April 2014 at DSTRKT nightclub, where an image of him perched in a tree immediately caught her eye. She later told me it was “love at first sight” — with the Bear, not me. After years of wondering how to transform the store’s vast back wall into something truly special, inspiration finally struck.

Her brief was refreshingly clear: “Create a decayed yet ethereal scene in white and silver, with the Bear in a tree — a backdrop that feels like it’s always been there, uncovered through time.”

To achieve the effect, I layered full photographic prints with halftone versions of the same image to create a painted, almost calligraphic feel. Washes of white and silver paint were added over patterns and textures, giving the wall the appearance of a memory revealed — as if the Bear had always been there, quietly waiting under wallpaper and time.

The mural took two long and intense days to complete. But Evelyn and her team made it feel effortless. The entire process was filmed and time-lapsed, capturing every moment of transformation. The final result — a ghostly, layered vision — feels completely at home within SKOG42’s beautifully curated space.

I’m proud of how it turned out. The Bear looks right at home. And Karlsruhe itself left a lasting impression — I’ll definitely be back soon, if only to check in on him.