Three new things that I (and dozens of art lovers) found out about artist, lecturer, philanthropist and conservationalist Robert Bateman from his visit to Direct Art Inc. on Nov. 3: He has a great sense of humour, he’s a keen observer of human nature and – perhaps because he’s a grandfather or once taught school for a living – likes talking with children. 

Bateman is as down to earth as it gets. First, he raised his voice to get attention, joking he’s not used to public speaking. Then he climbed a few rungs of a ladder so he could be seen above a crowd that filled to capacity the downtown studio. He began his talk by complimenting his host, John Westergard, owner of Direct Art.

“He’s one of the most remarkable human beings and puts on a fantastic display (of works) beautifully framed,” Bateman said.

Bateman said it was his great honour – “next to being invited to Prince George” – to have Royal Roads University in Victoria, “the most beautiful university in the world,” become the future site of the Bateman Art and Environmental Centre. Describing the university grounds spectacular features – Lord Dunsmir’s castle, mountain views, lagoon, beautiful Tuscan and Japanese gardens – Bateman said the small university, devoted to sustainability and graduate studies, will one day become guardian of much of his life’s work. 

“All my legacy, all my sketch books, all originals that belong to the family will be there – and I will continue to paint for it,” he said.

“This couldn’t be a better fit.”

Since the 1960s, Bateman said, he’s viewed the loss of our natural and human heritage as being of utmost importance to him. So the university’s same focus appeals to him as a perfect setting, he said, turning his attention to the need to fund raise. 

Introducing a new book for the campaign, he flipped through pages showing an artist’s rendering of what the future two-level building will look like along with beautiful views of Royal Roads.

“The upper level is an art gallery, the lower level is the education part,” he said, encouraging people to visit the area, west of Victoria, and see it as a tourist. 

He also invited guests to look at one of his 2007 sketch books with numerous black and white and some coloured sketches.

“It’s all falling apart,” he said, apologetically.

“But actually, I treasure these sketch books more than I do my prints. If they (prints) get stolen, I could reproduce them using my photos and sketches but I could not do another (original) sketch book.”

Holding the book up to show Panama rainforest birds and a sketch which became Resplendent Quetzal, he noted, “I don’t usually sketch in colour but these birds were so magnificent.”

Bateman shared some of his views on art (an original landscape behind him was part of his circa 1948 Group of Seven phase, he said) and commented on works on display at Direct Art. He pointed out Cezanne, a Siberian tiger, as a favourite and frequent subject and discussed colour challenges (scales of black and white) in much-loved works of the wolf and polar bear. 

He talked about his “spiritual experience” painting Haida Spirit, which has a traditional Haida canoe in the water with a raven flying overhead.

The artist said he was listening to CBC and heard that pioneer and Raven Clan member Bill Reid – who directed the hollowing of the 50-foot canoe from an ancient red cedar and Haida designs –  had just died. Bateman’s real charm, though, comes out in his genuine interest in people. After his talk, he chatted for two hours with art buyers and fans who sought his autograph on their prints and books, telling them where their piece was painted and often providing funny anecdotes. He graciously posed for pictures and gave special and close attention to children, listening to them, asking them questions and chatting up a storm like they were old friends.