Robert Bissell

The Dreamworld of Robert Bissell

Artist Robert Bissell’s fascinating work transports us to a peaceable kingdom where animals contemplate the world through calm, philosophical eyes, inviting us to enter a reflective landscape where bears levitate above lakes, surrounded by clouds of lavender butterflies.

Bissell grew up in Somerset, England on a farm, surrounded by the pastoral beauty of the English countryside. Animals were always a source of inspiration and delight. As a boy he would challenge himself to see how close he could get to the herds of wild red deer without alerting them. “My closest was about twenty feet,” says the artist, “those guys are just too aware.”

Photography was his first artistic pursuit. He studied graphic design and obtained a masters degree from the Royal College of Art in London. Bissell then moved to San Francisco and began a successful career in retail advertising. After fifteen years, he decided to devote all his time to painting.

Inspired by Celtic legend, Romantic-era landscapes and classical portraiture, the artist sought to define a style that would achieve his philosophical goals and also touch the viewer emotionally. He chose bears and rabbits for his subjects, as their more upright, human-like stance makes them easier to identify with. These particular animals also bring to mind the teddy bears and bunnies of youth, which softens the viewer and calls to mind a child-like way of viewing nature and ourselves.

Classified as Imaginary Realism, the fascination of a Robert Bissell image lies in the beauty of the realistic rendering, combined with the mystery of the surreal juxtapositionings.

What is the bear thinking as it swims among the spawning salmon? Why are the rabbits stranded on a small island in the middle of the ocean? Only you can find the answers to the questions posed by a Bissell painting—and the answer will be yours alone.

Sign up for e-mail updates on new art, shows, and events for this artist.

View New Releases, Limited Editions, Rare Pieces

New Releases

Click on an image to see pricing, size and description of art.

Moonlighters, The New Release $ Multiple Options

Peace in the Realm New Release $ 2500.00

The Release $ 1200.00

Limited Editions

Click on an image to see pricing, size and description of art.

AM 2 $ Multiple Options	Bathers, The $ Multiple Options	Decision, The $ 950.00
Enchantment, The $ Multiple Options	Exiles $ Multiple Options	Flight, The $ 975.00
Golden Bear, The $ Multiple Options	Hero II $ Multiple Options	Kingdom, The $ 2300.00
Lazy River $ 850.00	Oracle $ 1800.00	Reflection $ Multiple Options
Swimmer, The $ Multiple Options	Vision, The $ 975.00

Rare Pieces

Click on an image to see pricing, size and description of art.

AM $ Call	Aviators $ Call	Dance, The $ Call
Dilemma, The $ Call	Dream, The $ Call	Embrace II, The $ Call
Embrace, The $ Call	Emergence, The $ Call	Exchange, The $ Call
Guides, The $ Call	Guru, The $ Call	Invaders $ Call
Kiss, The $ Call	Lepus $ Call	Lookouts, The $ Call
Metamorphosis $ Call	Pastors at the Gate $ Call	Perfect World $ Call
Rangers (Small Works) $ Call	Rapture, the $ Call	Rhapsody $ Call
Runaround, The $ Call	The Dancers $ Call	Ursa Minor $ Call