Above you see my painting “Fence Line” which depicts the sun setting through the trees one May evening. I have the painting hanging in my bedroom and quite often when I notice it, I think about the day I happen to meet Robert Bateman.
Robert Bateman is a well-known Canadian painter, who paints extremely striking images of wildlife. Unfortunately the artsy-fartsy elite art establishment, always looks down on wildlife art for some reason, but they can have their splattered blobs of paint on canvas, to me Robert Bateman is among the apex of talented artists, and fortunately among Canadians, he is probably the best known contemporary artist.
One day in 2008, we drove up to Prince George for supplies. I took the “Fence Line” painting I had just completed along with me, so I could get it framed. We went into the store where I got my framing done and while there, the store owner introduced me to Robert Bateman, who happened to also in the store on business. The store carried prints of Bateman’s work.
A friendly Robert Bateman came over and ask to see what I had painted. I had done the picture using acrylics on paper, and when I unrolled it and spread it on the table, Bateman complimented me on the image I had captured. That was certainly a generous boost to my ego.
Even before my short meeting with Robert Bateman, I was a huge fans. Not only did I love his paintings, but I loved his dedication toward the natural world and his public efforts toward protecting it. Meeting him in person enhanced my respect I already had for him.
You can view some of Bateman’s amazing paintings at:
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