Bob Hines, National Wildlife Artist
A career sketch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's renowned wildlife artist
A young Bob Hines sketches by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Bob Hines (1912-1994) was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Artist for over three decades.
Young Bob Hines with his dog (circ. 1915)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Growing up in Ohio, Hines was drawn to the outdoors and making art. He became a self-taught artist with no formal training in art or wildlife. Rather, sketching for his ailing mother and running a taxidermy shop nurtured his artistic talents and appreciation of wildlife.
Bob Hines in his Ohio Division of Conservation uniform (1940/1948)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Hines eagerly accepted his first artist position at the Ohio Division of Conservation without divulging his complete inexperience with oil painting, which would be his first assignment.
Cover of an issue of The Ohio Conservation Bulletin (1949) by Bob HinesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Fortunately, he had a few days before starting his new job, so he spent Monday through Thursday sitting in on his high school art teacher’s class, where he learned the basics of handling oil paints just in time. He started that Friday.
Title page of Alaska's Animals & Fishes book (1946) by Frank Dufresne and Bob HinesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
After an unexpected introduction to the renowned Director of the Alaska Game Commission, Frank Dufresne, Hines asked if he would do the honor of critiquing his latest paintings. Impressed, Dufresne requested Hines illustrate his new book Alaska’s Animals and Fishes.
Rachel Carson at a microscope (1951)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
When Hines learned of an opening at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he almost turned it down because he would be supervised by a woman. Following clarification that that woman was the acclaimed author and biologist Rachel Carson, Hines accepted.
Rachel Carson and Bob Hines search for sea creatures to write about and illustrate (1952) by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
It was also the beginning of a fruitful professional collaboration and lifelong friendship.
Bob Hines sketching a poinciana tree on Marathon Key, Florida Keys (1952-06-01) by Rex Gary Schmidt and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Despite having to relocate to Washington DC for the headquarters position, Hines still managed to find ways to get out into the field for some adventure.
Wolf sketch (1948/1951) by Bob Hines and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Of a wild Canadian airplane excursion, Hines recalled bearing down upon a magnificent white wolf racing across the barren tundra. Sadly, a last-minute camera switch left Hines not knowing to return the slide after each exposure and virtually all his photographs were lost.
Ink cartoon of Albert Day's career (1955) by Bob Hines and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Hines found time for fun in the office too by creating humorous sketches of retiring colleagues. When revealed at going-away parties, coworkers turned red-faced with laughter and the cartoons were an instant hit. When requests grew to weekly, his boss finally put a stop to it.
Bonefish (1971) by Bob Hines and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Tucked in the penthouse of the Department of Interior building was Hines’ studio. Accessible only by a narrow stairway, it was a refuge for not just Hines but directors, secretaries, and others seeking solace from taxing administrative duties in Hines’ art and warm conversation.
Bob Hines in his studio with a copy of Sport Fishing USA (circa. 1971) by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Fish, turtles, and other creatures gurgling in the studio’s tank served as models for Hines’ work, including paintings for the 1971 Sport Fishing USA book. Secretary Udall’s private secretary wished to be called whenever Hines fed his aquatic menagerie to marvel at the frenzy.
Nighthawk (1975) by Bob HinesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
When a rooftop garden was considered for outside his studio, Hines was asked to record visiting birds. Hines happily agreed and reported the dozens of species that landed or flew over. Hines would appreciate that today, a green roof graces the Interior building.
Redheads (1946) by Bob HinesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
Hines ran the selection of the Federal Duck Stamp for decades and reimagined it as a rigorous, open contest. Years prior in Ohio, Hines filled with pride when a drawing he submitted became a stamp. To then earn the name “Mr. Duck Stamp Competition” was deeply meaningful to him.
The wreck of Mary B (1991) by Bob Hines and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
After retiring and only two years before his death, Hines completed a final project: drawings for a 50th anniversary edition of Rachel Carson's book Under the Sea Wind. It was a fitting final endeavor to illustrate one last work by his late, long-time friend.
Bob Hines painting a Steller's jay by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum
For spending over three decades with the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bob Hines was named National Wildlife Artist, a title never held by another.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Bob Hines/Pete Anastasi Oral History, Tapes 1-4 and 9-12.
Juriga, John D and Lynn A. Greenwalt (forward). Bob Hines: National Wildlife Artist. 2012. Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc., Edina, MN.
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