Colored stain on an unfinished grass eating bear plaque

I love the thrift store for many reasons, on the the primary begin that it's like a treasure hunt; you never know you what you'll find. The last time I went on half price Wednesday I picked up the random little "Grass eating bear" unfinished wood plaque and it just makes me smile. I didn't really think that there we grass eating bears out there who survived primarily on grass. A google search left we more confused than I was before; but I did find this interesting video of a grizzly bear eating grass. One thing lead to another and I found the most adorable video of a grizzly bear romping around in a pool. I really don't know if this was sold as a joke or at a state park or what but it makes me happy. Anyhoo, I would have just hung it up outright but it was a bit too bland and a little dirty, so instead of using a darker brown stain I chose to see if I could experiment with a colored stain via watercolors, and I'd say it turned out quite well!

I used just a plain old Crayola watercolor set and a bit of washi tape around the edges, although you could just paint those edges too. I watered down the paint after I'd applied it to the wood and just kinda threw water on it as needed and sopped up some excess with a rag. Anything I did was easily correctable. I used the most basic brush that came with the watercolor set. None of this was difficult or artistic, I promise.

Once all the paint was dry I broke out my black and white polka dotted washi tape to seal up the edges. It took 2 layers and I really like the timeless yet modern flair it adds.

And shaboom, there we have it! A tie dyed grass eating bear! Crazy, right? 

I think it complements my rats a frats canvas nicely, doesn't it? One piece with start black lines, one piece with bright colors meandering here and there, and another a nice blob of color. I am quite pleased. 

If you happen to be a grass eating bear expert please enlighten me!