The Wild World of Robert Bateman: Robert Bateman

Summary: Interview with Robert Bateman, one of the world's leading painters of wildlife and of nature generally. Bateman is also a globally respected spokesman for ecological and environmental causes, and has contributed artworks that have raised millions of dollars for these causes. Bateman traces his profound connection to the natural world back to his childhood and his encounters in the ravines of his native Toronto and he believes passionately in the importance of connecting children to nature at an early age. Born and raised in Ontario, he spent 20 years as a high school teacher of art and geography before becoming a full-time painter in 1976. Since then, he has travelled widely, painted ceaselessly, published a number of highly successful books, drawn record-breaking crowds to his one-man shows in such museums as the Smithsonian Institution, been the subject of numerous films and video productions, received several honorary doctorates and awards including the Order of Canada.