Quotes from Robert Bateman

It doesn't take more skill to paint hundreds of strokes rather than one right stroke but it takes more patience.

If we looked at time and geography from a mountain's perspective, we would have a more profound sense of history, we would be able to see far and wide, and benefit from the experience of people all over the world. If we thought in the way mountains were formed, we would treat the natural world with more respect.

I've never thought sitting around worrying helps anything, except to help shorten your life.

I never thought that I would support myself with art - everyone in the Group of Seven had day jobs. I became a geography teacher so that I could get free field trips into the wilderness to paint.

Children don't play outside enough. For hundreds of thousands of years young people spent time outside - until 15 years ago.

When you get to be my age, you begin to count how many Mays you have left - the best time of year for flowers and birds in North America.

If you find yourself worrying, go outside, take three breaths, address a tree and quietly say, 'Thank you.' If you can't find a tree, a dandelion will do... Nature is magic.

If I ever have a conflict between art and nature, I let art win.

Art is challenging and frustrating but I don't linger in it. I work on five paintings at a time so if I'm frustrated I put one down and begin another.