The Art of R.C. "Bobby" Hunt - HuntNetwork

Images
Images
The Art of
R.C. "Bobby" Hunt
Bobby has enjoyed a career as a wildlife artist for over twenty
years. While his skill as a sculptor is obvious, the power of
Bobby’s work lies in the majestic beauty of the wildlife he
chooses to recreate.
Bobby’s love for hunting and art were encouraged by his stepfather
and professional mentor Joe Schaefer. That passion has carried Bobby
to many game fields of North America, Alaska, and Canada as well as
six safaris to Africa. It is this first hand experience with wildlife that
provides the feeling and excitement he portrays in each sculpture.
By Dave Fulson
Our artist spotlight shines on a man whose home is
overseas, but as he will tell you, his heart is never
far from Africa. R.C. “Bobby” Hunt is a native of
Arlington, Texas and is one of the art world’s rising
stars in the production of wildlife bronze.
In March 2002, Bobby and his brother Bill bought Schaefer Art
Bronze from their Dad and are continuing the tradition of excellence
that has grown Schaefer Art Bronze into one of the Southwest’s most
successful casting foundries.
Bobby’s bronzes grace prominent collections around the world.
Along with his limited edition works, Bobby has completed over 30
commissions including American Airlines, Frito Lay, Ducks Unlimited,
Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and the Dallas Ecological
Foundation.
Page 46 www.african-hunter.com African Hunter Vol. 9 No. 5

At 43, Bobby has managed
to mould his three life
priorities, family, work, and
hunting, into a manageable but
sometimes hectic lifestyle.
Bobby, his wife Kelli, daughter
Brandy and sons Ryan, Zane
and Dillon all share a love of
family and the hunting sports
which enables him to spend
quality family time while
enjoying his favorite activity.
Zimbabwe is Bobby’s
favorite safari destination. A
repeat client of P.H. Andrew
Dawson, owner of Chifuti
Safaris, Bobby has taken most
of the plains game as well as
what he refers to as the
‘Dawson Five’, elephant,
leopard, lion, buffalo, and
hippo. Bobby is Andrew’s
first client to achieve this.
For any hunter, the
successful pursuit of these
animals represents a difficult
challenge. For Bobby Hunt, it
was a Herculean effort, and it
clearly shows the spirit of the
man behind the achievement
better than words can depict.
At age 12, Bobby was
diagnosed with juvenile
diabetes. This illness has
progressed over the years and
Bobby has quietly and
courageously battled it every
day of his life in a struggle that
would take the joy of life away
from a lesser man. The medical
problems Bobby faces are
compounded on overseas
hunts, but Bobby refuses to
let the disease deter him from
the adventure of safari. Don’t
believe it? Then think about
this:
In June 2000 Bobby fell in
a hasty retreat with Andrew
from an angry herd of cow
elephant they encountered in
heavy cover. Bobby felt
something give in his leg but
regained his footing and
retreated in pain. He had, in
fact, broken a bone in his leg.
Used to pain, Bobby hobbled
through the remaining six days
of the safari taking his elephant
on Day 11, a leopard on Day
13 and a buffalo on Day 14.
That is triumph in the face of
adversity on a scale few people
can imagine.
An accomplished hunter, Bobby poses with one of his 'Dawson Five', a beautiful Cape
buffalo taken with P.H. Andre Van Heerden on the Sapi River.
Each Bobby Hunt bronze is a labour of love for the artist. Here Bobby is finishing
a wax mould of a newly completed rhino. This work takes time, patience, and an
intimate knowledge of the subject being created.
Bobby at the office with some recently completed bronze sculptures ready to be
shipped out to waiting customers.
In 2001, Bobby was stricken with a severe infection, again on safari
with Andrew, and this time, he was forced to return to the States where
the decision was reached by both Bobby and his doctors to remove the
infected leg below the knee. As a lifelong friend of Bobby’s, I have no
doubt that he ventured into despair, as he, along with his friends and
family, waited to see how he would cope with the physical loss.
The answer surprised no one who knows Bobby well. He tackled
the job of getting fitted with and learning to use a prosthetic leg and
foot, and started getting ready for his 2002 safari to the Zambezi River
Valley!
In mid-June of this year, Bobby completed the ‘Dawson Five’ by
taking an enormous lioness on the 13th day of his trip, a feat that
knowing Andrew’s hunting
skills and Bobby’s
determination was never in
question as far as I was
concerned.
Bobby is an active member
of Safari Club International,
Ducks Unlimited, National
Rifle Association, and the
Arlington Sportsman’s Club
and regularly contributes his
artwork to fundraising efforts
of these organizations. “I feel
that it is part of my
responsibility to help those
organizations who are working
to ensure the future of wildlife
and the great sport of hunting”,
he said during a recent
interview for this article.
Another insight into this
remarkable man’s heart came
when I asked him about his art.
“Hunting is not just something
I do, it’s truly part of who I
am. The sport of hunting would
not have the impact it does on
people if they could not retain
the memories of special
moments in the field. Some use
a camera to capture memories,
and that’s great, so do I.”
“But my sculptures are my
personal way of capturing
memories, and I can pass them
down to my children to be
enjoyed and contemplated long
after I’m gone. Each one of my
pieces has a story, and was
inspired by a special moment
with the animal I was privileged
enough to share a space in time
with. My goal is to produce
art that inspires the buyer to
remember his or her special
moments each time they study
the piece.”
Bobby Hunt is one of my
dearest friends and over the
years I have acquired a large
collection of his sculptures for
the exact reasons he just gave.
Each one brings back memories
of a special time and place. It
was a pleasure to introduce our
readers to Bobby and his work
and I encourage you to meet
him at any of the many trade
shows he attends. Whether an
art lover or big game hunter,
you will enjoy meeting one of
the finest gentlemen in the
hunting industry.
To talk to Bobby or receive information on his work including his
newest African addition, ‘The Big Five’, you may contact him at:
Schaefer Art Bronze, LP
R.C. "Bobby" Hunt
132 S. Collins, Arlington, TX 76010
e-mail: sabronzebobby@aol.com
phone: 817-460-1102, fax: 817-460-1108, cell: 817-781-6375
African Hunter Vol. 9 No. 5 www.african-hunter.com Page 47