I am very sorry to announce, that Teddy Bear Tales Artist Keir Knikia Lyles passed away on October 3, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife, Meegan, and son, Christian.

Keir was born in 1974, and is a dedicated father, amazing artist and a genuine good guy. I don’t say that lightly, he was genuinely the best person I have ever met, always friendly, ready to help and to listen, no matter how busy he was. He was the best of us and the world is a little darker because of his passing.

My friend was a regular on the Mid-Atlantic convention circuit and worked on bringing the Teddy’verse characters, Forrest & Scout, and Helping Hand Artie, to life for the Out of the Attic series. Over the last couple of years he has suffered a number of escalating health issues, leading to a running joke between us, that he would do anything to get out of a deadline.

Last month we discussed his return to the Teddy’verse books and finishing off the Helping Hand comic book story, and a children’s book called Herbie involving all the Night Guardians, who go off on an adventure to find the flower of the sun.

I wish I had the words to express how deeply I feel about this loss. As a writer, I find myself at a loss to express them in a clear and poetic manner, my deepest condolences from myself, the entire Studio creative crew, my family. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

RIP my friend.

Forrest & Scout – Art by Keir Knikia Lyles