J. W. Goossen

The Dreams of the Bear#

Artist’s Statement#

I generally work in oils, mainly from my own photographs. I attended a weekend seminar led by Pnina Granier (www.pninagranirer.com). I loved the freedom of mixed media and this is one of the pieces that arose. Many dreams are about running or escape or competition, in many ways reminiscent of the natural food chain. In this piece, each panel has an inherent peace within it but when brought together a different dynamic is created – the bear, the fish and the intervention of the human all have a part to play. The subtle disorder of a man in a (possibly the bear’s) cave catching fish, leaves one to contemplate whether the dream matches reality or if they ever do.

About the Artist#

J. W. Goossen, born and raised in Vancouver, currently lives in Ladner, British Columbia, where he enjoys carving out time for painting adventures and writing poems and stories. His publishing credits include Rhubarb, Geez, Grain, Canadian Stories and Contact No Contact. Find him online at www.jwgoossen.com.