Bob Bertram

Bob Bertram was born in Kirkwood, Missouri in 1960. As far back as he can remember he was drawing. His mother used to give him paper and a pencil and ask him to draw her pictures as a way to keep him quiet and out of trouble.

Bob graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Illinois in 1979. In 1981 he received his Associate of Arts degree from Lincoln Land Community College. Bob then attended Murray State for the next three years, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with emphasis in illustration in 1984.

Bob then worked at several advertising and promotion agencies, painting and drawing as time allowed. He married his wife, Linda, in 1986 and their first child, Jennifer, was born the following year. Shortly after the birth of their second child in 1990, Michael, Bob decided to quit his job to try to make a living as a freelance artist. Since then Bob has divided his time between his commercial art projects and his fine art pursuits.

Bob refocused his efforts on painting in 2000, realizing that computer illustration was not giving him the satisfaction he needed from his artwork. So he began an exciting journey back into painting. It was a rebirth artistically. Bob was fortunate to have two wonderful mentors, Don Kueker and Robert K. Abbett. Both have provided wisdom, encouragement and advice, for which Bob is forever grateful. Without their guidance he would never have been able to make the amazing art he is known for today.

Bob's love for sporting dogs combined with his passion for painting has made him one of the most sought after dog portraitists in the country. His work hangs in some of the finest collections and galleries in the United States and abroad. He also paints wildlife and sporting scenes. His work has been on the covers and in the pages of many of the most popular sporting magazines. Bob also works closely with a number of conservation groups on the local and national level.