Who is Robert Bateman a Canadian Wildlife Artist

Robert Bateman, OC, OBC (born 1930-05-24) is a Canadian naturalist and painter, born in Toronto, Ontario.Robert Bateman Official Website: Biography Retrieved October 23, 2007 Even as a child he was interested in art and wildlife. He found inspiration from the Group of Seven, he was also interested in making abstract paintings of nature.Peninsula Gallery: Biography of Robert Bateman Retrieved October 23, 2007 It wasn't until the mid 1960's that he changed to his present style, realism.

Bateman was always interested in art, but he never intended on making a living from it. He was fascinated by the natural world in his childhood. As a child he recorded the sightings of all of the birds in the area of his house in Toronto.Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: the Life And Times of Robert Bateman Retrieved October 23, 2007 Although the stage was set for an expert wildlife artist, Bateman moved on to be a high school art/geography teacher. However, he still painted in his free time. It wasn't until the 1970's and 1980's that his work started to receive major recognition. Robert Bateman's show in 1987, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, drew a large crowd for a living artist.

Bateman also has approximately ten books devoted solely to his paintings. Bateman's decision to produce reproductions of his paintings through Mill Pond Press has been criticized by some who feel that the reproductions are "overpriced posters that cheapen the legitimate art market". The reproductions are popular items, being sold in print galleries in many malls across Canada and more internationally. The largest display of Bateman prints was in Mississauga, Ontario. It recently closed down, however. Bateman art is often seen on mugs, calendars and mouse pads.

Today, Robert Bateman lives in Saltspring Island in British Columbia with his wife Birgit Bateman. Robert Bateman Secondary School in Abbotsford, British Columbia and Robert Bateman High School in Burlington, Ontario are named after him.

In 2005 Bateman volunteered for an assessment of chemicals present in his body that had a proven negative health effect. The assessment was sponsored by the organization Environmental Defence. 32 carcinogens, 19 hormone disruptors, 16 respiratory toxicants, and 42 reproductive/developmental toxicants were found in his body, but luckily he is still alive today.Toxic Nation Report: Robert Bateman Retrieved October 23, 2007.

In 2007, Robert Bateman has endowed Royal Roads University[http://www.royalroads.ca/legacy] with $10.7 million worth of original art, prints, photographs, archival materials and funds. The gift is being applied to the construction of the Robert Bateman Centre, a ?Living Building? that will showcase green building technology, education on sustainability as well as housing Mr. Bateman's works. The Robert Bateman Centre is currently in a capital campaign to gain the remaining funds to build the $17M art and education centre.