Read this Wildlife Art Journal article

Robert Bateman and his bison painting 'Chief", permanent collection National Museum of Wildlife Art.


EDITOR'S NOTE:  Two years ago, shortly after his 80th birthday, famed Canadian wildlife artist Robert Batement was asked to give a commencement address at Royal Roads University in British Columbia.  That same day Royal Roads bestowed him with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. Royal Roads is home to the Robert Bateman Centre, a virtual resource that enables visitors to enjoy the works of Bateman and other nature artists who celebrate the natural world and endeavor to raise human consciousness.  It is a cooperative project with the Bateman Foundation, which holds a large number of Bateman's original paintings and all of his preminary sketches and writings.  To reach it click here.  You can also read WAJ's feature story on Bateman by clicking here. Meantime, here is the speech that Bateman delivered on June 18, 2010.


by ROBERT BATEMAN

All my life I’ve extolled the virtues of natural heritage and human heritage and lamented their loss.  Royal Roads has both in spades.  For decades I have been preaching that small is beautiful and sustainability is essential.

As you may know I turned 80 last 24th of May, 2010.  I hope that you know that that was Queen Victoria’s birthday.  We were not born in the same year, however.  You may not know that May 24th is also Bob Dylan’s birthday.  Philosophically, I find myself somewhere in between the two.