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[Central Florida Ag News]
Robert Butler to be featured on cover of Ag in ART Showcase
Robert Butler original paintings for sale!
Stop by to see NEW creations
FSC’s Lawton M. Chiles Jr. Center for Florida History
Contact: Public Relations
863.680.3891
Welcomes Highwayman Artist Robert Butler’s “Florida Landscapes” Exhibition
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 8, 2011)
The Lawton M. Chiles, Jr. Center for Florida History at Florida Southern College welcomes Robert Butler, accomplished artist of the Florida Highwayman School. Butler’s exhibition “Florida Landscapes” will run on the ground floor gallery of the McKay Archives at Florida Southern College through the 2011-2012 academic school years. The Lawton M. Chiles Center Jr. Center for Florida History will host a reception for Butler at the McKay Archives on September 8 at 7:00 P M. where the artist will discuss his work. The event is free and open to the public.
Born in Baxley, Georgia in 1943 Robert Butler moved to Okeechobee, Florida at the age of six. At a young age Butler began a lifetime familiarity with the woods and waters of the Florida Everglades. Self taught Butler honed his skills as a painter, selling his first painting in 1957. Butler eventually became associated with a group of Black artists, “the Highwaymen,” who traveled Florida’s highways trying to sell their paintings of Florida Landscapes. The artist developed his own style now known world-wide as the “Butler Style,” exemplified by a dramatically lit and romanticized portrayal of the landscape. Butler’s paintings have graced private homes public buildings in Florida, the nation, and throughout the world. Butler’s art has brought the artist countless awards and recognitions. Robert and his wife Dorothy have been married forty-eight years and are the proud parents of nine children. They live in Lakeland, Florida.
“We are extremely delighted to welcome Robert Butler’s to our gallery here at the McKay Archives,” noted James M. Denham, Director of the Lawton M. Chiles Jr. Center for Florida History. “His beautiful depictions of Florida landscapes have enriched our state and introduced the nation to Florida’s vast physical beauty.”
About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive United Methodist-affiliated college. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 50 undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 12:1 student/faculty ratio; is a national leader in engaged learning; and boasts 27 NCAA Division II national championships. It is ranked in the Top 10 “Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the South” by U.S. News & World Report and is included in The Princeton Review’s “373 Best Colleges” guide and The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. The College is committed to the development of the whole student through vibrant student life programs that prepare graduates to make a positive, consequential impact on society. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is home to the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Soft Cover-10" x 8"-$49.95 add 7% sales tax & $9.99 shipping/handling Mail in Payment to Butler Art Enterprise |
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SEE AD & Robert Butler's daughter's
ALLIGATOR HUNT STORY IN AIRBOAT MAGAZINE JULY 2011 EDITION
Story by PHIL WALTERS (www.gatorguide.com) see story teaser below.
Gator To Be Painted
Noted Florida landscape and wildlife artist Dorene Butler has
spent a modest amount of time in the great outdoors but had never
been on a gator hunt. After a short airboat ride on the Withlacoochie
River, during the 2010 Airboating Magazine party, while displaying
her artwork, last June, she gave some thought to a gator hunt. Since
I had a few extra tags that might not be filled, I called Dorene in
early October and invited her
and her Dad, renowned Florida
Highwayman Artist Robert Butler,
out to assist me. Dorene accepted
the invite but informed me her
Dad was busy so she wanted to
invite her sister Aletha. Another
lipstick and nail polish gator hunt
I thought with ARTISTS! What
did I get myself into?
The sun was ending its day’s
labor of warming and lighting
the earth as we staked out the
southeast corner of lake Marion
in Osceola County, hoping we
could ambush a nice gator as he
cruised the lake. As we enjoyed
the sinking sun, we spied a
couple of gators not worthy
of our attention making their
rounds. As we waited, I took the
time to review with Dorene and
Aletha what to expect when we
did jump a gator. If we jump one
before sunset, I would attempt
to hook it and hand the pole to
Aletha, who was sitting in the hot
seat up front. She was then to fight it until we could harpoon it. If
we could not jump one before sundown, I explained how we would
seek targets of opportunity in darkness and coached my huntress on
the proper handling of the harpoon and how to throw it. This was
an enjoyable time for all as the last rays of warmth disappeared below
the horizon, no gators were spotted and we conversed about many
topics while the bugs replaced the light.
With darkness at hand, we ran the lake once and only spotted a
couple of 4'-5' gators and some kind of cat (looked like a panther
to me). Dorene was taking in the sights and making mental notes
from her tall perch in the back seat of the airboat, on the features
surrounding the lake, no doubt for future artwork while Aletha
shielded the lion’s share of the now swarming bugs from splattering
on both myself and on Dorene. Team player, I thought, as we ran
through the clouds of bugs that Aletha was now wearing like a coat.
Much to my surprise, neither sister complained of this irritant of the
environment; however Aletha did continue to faithfully stay focused
on my narrow bead of light illuminating the thick bugs and the weed
line beyond, hopefully concealing our prey.
On the second pass around the big lake, much to our pleasure, the
bugs began to retire. We shined a set of eyes out in the lake and made
our approach. As we neared the area, we caught a clue and responded
with a hook. Soon, we had a bent and active rod rhythmically bobbing
to the thrusts of a large and strong beast. Aletha bravely fought for
a bit then readied herself for an opportunity with her pink “Lady
GatorStick” harpoon, otherwise known as the “purse snatcher of the
swamp.” As her target neared, she steadied herself and threw a worthy
shot only to have the sharp stainless dart repulsed by the gator’s thick
armor. With a splash, the creature did a short run then repositioned
itself for another harpoon shot. Aletha again took aim and let loose
with her weapon; this time it really irritated the gator causing him
to explode and break the only secure line we had on him. With a
sinking feeling, we regained our composure after missing this 11'-12'
trophy class gator and proceeded.
As Dorene continued to be
the perfect sport by enjoying the
show and encouraging her sister,
we again struck out searching
for a target. During a bumpy
introduction to a sandbar after
raising the light skyward on a
“gator run” and bumbling over the
dry spot, we turned our attention
to another set of eyes near the bar.
While this was not as desirable a
target as the one that got away, it
was of the size that had a high
quality hide, very suitable for
a purse. With that comment,
Aletha readied the harpoon and hit her target. “Great,” I said as Dorene began to exhibit a little
excitement. “This will be an easy
gator to clean, possesses a nice
hide, and has some very tender
meat on him,”... by Phil Walters (story continued gatorguide.com)
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"Special Art Instruction Day" by Robert Butler bring a friend or family member-minimum class size: 12 students
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robertbutlerart@yahoo.com
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