This is very true:
I am lucky to meet many people who are interested in nature and nature art. What is especially fascinating is that in recent years I see and hear from more and more young people. Many of them would like to grow up to be a wildlife artist. I tell them to first get a day job as a “meal ticket” and then paint their little hearts out in their spare time, for the love of it. If they get a meal ticket or day job they will not have to paint for the market, which is the death of creativity. Most artists will never be famous but that is not the point as long as they participate in the joy and struggle of creating art.
Robert Bateman is absolutely right.
He is a wonderful artist and human being and I respect him very much.