“When we awaken to each new day, whether we are aware of it or not, we are thrust into a world of infinite proportions and never-ending revelations. We have come from the secret work of our dreams, and with eyes open we encounter Earth and discover the ancient presence of a landscape alive with extraordinary beauty,” writes artist Robert Bissell in his book Spirit (Pomegranate, 2019). Bissell’s bears—contemplative and curious—seem to lead lives as complex and thought-filled as those led by humans. His paintings invite a sense of wonder and appreciation for our precarious connection with the natural world.