Bob Hines Biography

[Steve Sanford]

All~

I just recently learned about a book written a couple of years ago - about one of my heroes. Bob Hines, National Wildlife Artist is about the staff artist for the US Department of Interior (following a similar role in Ohio). I spent many hours of my youth studying and copying Hines' work in Ducks at a Distance and Waterfowl Tomorrow. And, I got to meet the author - Dr. John Juriga - last night at the American Museum of Flyfishing over in Manchester, VT. The Museum is exhibiting a dozen or so originals of Hines'work - with an emphasis, of course, on his fish.

I bought a copy a couple of weeks ago and read it through as soon as it arrived. I always enjoy biographies and this was one where I could only marvel at his success in simpler times - where exceptional talent and hard work got him to a place where we could all benefit. For me personally, no one has exceeded his abilities to show waterfowl in their many postures and actions. My small bunch of "first edition" Ducks at a Distance still inspires.

To make things even better, meeting the author and his wife was a genuine pleasure for Susan and me. Not surprisingly, both are warm and enthusiastic lovers of the natural world. John has a long connection, too, with the Ward Museum as a guest curator.

The book is available (~ $ 18) on-line at Beaver's Pond Press. John told me that the "secret code" HINES reduces the price even more:

http://www.itascabooks.com/bob-hines.html

BTW: The AMFF is worth a visit if you're over here in eastern NY:

http://www.amff.com/ (I'm not a fish-chaser but one of my gunning partners is on their board and another did the architecture for their expansion several years ago and another was their Director awhile back.)

All the best,

SJS

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

Steve, spent alot of time there years ago. Went to Orvis and the museum. There was a huge building there that had small shops inside with local craftsmen displaying their works. Painters, carvers and other crafts.
Will call about epoxy when I get closer to project...

 

[Brad Bortner]

I'm fortunate to look at this painting everyday in the conference room at work. Although this picture doesn't do it justice, it's stunning in its simplicity. I often stand up close to look at the brush strokes.

My favorite Bob Hines story includes Waterfowl Tomorrow. About 1990, my boss was walking down the hallway in the Department of the Interior headquarters and noticed all of the original artwork for the book in a trash can. He saved everything he could. He got permission to keep it all. He kept it all until about two years ago when he donated it all to the museum at the National Conservation Training Center. The archivist couldn't have been happier that it had all been saved.

 

[Pat Gregory]

Steve - Love this history. I appreciate all those who have contributed to the art form of waterfowl. I especially enjoy the work of people like Darling, Hochbaum, Ward and other artists that were close to the conservation side of things. I include you in that. Just this morning, I was reading about Larry Hayden from Farmington, Michigan, a phenomenal artist and decoy carver. I have also grown to appreciate those in the conservation realm that were decoy carvers, people like, Miles Pirnie, Jim Foote, Dave Hodgman and others, many that are active today. I too include you on that list.
Thank you for unearthing the wonderful history of others and sharing it with us. But, more importantly, thank you for sharing your goodness and history with us. It says a lot about a man in terms of what he gives away freely. You consistently give of your time and your talents so that others may benefit. And, I appreciate that about you. May, God bless you for it! Pat