Mallard Pair - Early Winter by Robert Bateman

ABOUT THE ARTIST: ROBERT BATEMAN

One of the world's foremost painters of nature, Robert Bateman was born in 1930 and raised in Toronto. He taught high school art and geography for 20 years before becoming a full-time wildlife artist in 1975. Bateman's work is refreshing and his concepts unpredictable. With imagination influenced by any one of the multitude of art periods and styles, plus a deep understanding of the natural world, his artistic statements are strong and stunning.

ABOUT THE PAINTING: "MALLARD PAIR - EARLY WINTER"

"I chose to feature the hen bird most prominently in a broadside pose. This is partly because the female usually gets short shift in appreciation in the bird world, but mainly because her colours and patterns appeal to me. I used back lighting so that the contrasting rust and green colours of the male are more rich and subdued. I was excited by the translucent brilliance of the sun shining through their legs and the light bouncing up off the ice."

- Robert Bateman

Visit Robert Bateman's website ...

To find out more about Mallard ducks and their habitat, click here (Hinterland Who's Who)