Description
Prowler – Raccoon – 12 x 12; Offset Paper Affordable Treasure; Edition Size 950; $85.00 U.S.
The Prowler- Raccoon
“Raccoons prowl. Like the human prowler, they invade people’s private spaces. Of course, raccoons do not recognize private property. Your world is their world. Urban Areas of North American are bountiful foraging grounds from the raccoon’s point of view. My birth-place, the city of Toronto, has a huge raccoon population, but when I was a boy, they were relatively scarce animals. A sighting of this furry beast was somewhat special.
In those days, I did what I now know is not a good idea: I kept some wild “pets”- one crow, 2 screech owls and one raccoon. We too the raccoon from his nest before his eyes were open and fed him from a doll’s bottle, then pabulum and finally human food, plus dog food and the odd frog or crayfish. He semi-hibernated during his first (and, sadly, only) winter, and in the spring, he escaped his cage. He found his way to some big trees in a backyard across the ravine behind my house. The woman of the house thought it was such a remarkable event that she phoned the radio station, and they actually put the raccoon discovery on the evening news. She also phoned the Humane Society, and they came and captured him. We got word of this and went there to claim him. Unfortunately, he had caught distemper there and passed away in May, barely a year old.
This painting shows another prowler around another dwelling. At our present home we have two apple trees and a luxuriant grape-vine. Every harvest season, when we plan to let the fruits ripen for another few days, the raccoons beat us to it. The raccoons have a different opinion.” – Robert Bateman
Biography
Robert Bateman has been called the most famous living artist. He continues to paint and tour the world to promote conservation and preservation of nature. We have represented Robert Bateman for decades and are now the sole publisher and distributor of his reproductions. We are so honored to work with him and witness his success. He has made such a massive contribution to the art world and the natural world as an artist and educator of the earth’s most important resources.
Nature as a subject is becoming more and more popular as our environment is in peril. What better subject is there than the beautiful creatures we share this world with? Robert Bateman’s appreciation and understanding of nature are apparent in his paintings. He is able to paint flora and fauna the way your eye would perceive it in real life. It is important that the animal takes full attention. The background becomes muted, and therefore it doesn’t take too much focus away from the subject. His paintings seem effortless and masterful all at once.
Bateman’s eye for composition is unparalleled. Each painting is a composed like a symphony, leading the eye to wander. From the backyards of North America to the sprawling plains of Africa. Robert Bateman captures nature the way it should be enjoyed. Above all he is a champion of wildlife. For this reason he has become a household name for art collectors.
