Robert Bateman (1930-) was born in Toronto, Canada and earned a degree in geography from the University of Toronto. He taught high school for 20 years, including two years in Nigeria. He travelled around the world in 1957-58, increasing his appreciation of cultural and natural heritage. Since leaving teaching in 1976 to paint full-time, he has travelled widely with his artist/conservationist wife Birgit to many remote natural areas. Bateman has been a keen artist and naturalist from his early days. He has always painted wildlife and nature, beginning with a His work is in many public and private collections, and several art museums, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY.