John Mullane loved art since he was a youngster, and his parents encouraged him with instructional books on animal drawing. He intended to become a portrait artist, but instead pursued a career as a drummer along the way. His band, “The Raw Poets,” recorded demos with rock musician Roger Daltrey, former lead vocalist of Who fame. Despite the fact that Mullane gave the music business his all for seven years, success as a musician eluded him.

The Bronx is home to Mullane, his wife and two small sons. When a book signing provided an opportunity for him to see the man whose art had influenced the course of his life, Mullane was thrilled to meet Bateman, telling him, “I’m a wildlife artist from the Bronx.”