The Art of Bob Bertram

From the time he was a young boy, Bob Bertram always felt he was destined to be a painter. In grade school he was known as the “kid who can draw” and by the time he was in high school he was exhibiting exceptional talent in his art classes. He attended a community college for two years and then finished his college education at Murray State University. Pragmatic by nature, Bob pursued a career in advertising, as it would allow him to use his artistic ability and creativity to make a living. The plan was working fine until Bob was 39 years old.  He had a mid-life crisis of sorts, realizing his goal of being a painter had been shelved and unless things changed, would not be realized.

So, in 1999, Bob began his quest to become an artist. Progress was slow and he was often frustrated by the steep learning curve he faced as a self-taught painter. Fortunately, two mentors helped guide him through the pitfalls of learning to paint; Don Kueker, a St. Louis illustrator and painter and the renowned wildlife painter, Robert Abbett both provided Bob with the advice and support he needed. Over the next few years his artwork went from average to exceptional and is now regarded by many art collectors as some of the finest work ever created in the genre of sporting and canine art.

Bertram uses a balance of realism and painterly impressionism to create stunning portraits of dogs and upland hunting scenes that seem to breath with life and capture the essence of what the paintings are about. Using his brushwork to control emphasis and subordination within his paintings he takes the viewer exactly where he wants them to go in each painting. He is represented by some of the finest galleries in the country and his work can be seen on the covers and within the pages of sporting magazines.

Much of his work is by commission, although some pieces are done strictly for his own expression and these are sold through galleries in various parts of the country.

Bob and his wife, Linda, have two grown children and reside in Manchester, Missouri. Bob’s studio staff consists of a Gordon Setter and a Boykin Spaniel.

Bob has been featured in Covey Rise, the American Field Christmas Edition and many other fine Sporting publications. For many more of Bob’s paintings, please visit Galleries.

Bob can be reached at 636-256-7817 or via email.

Visit his website. He can also be found on Facebook at The Art of Bob Bertram.