THE ARTISTS

Robert Butler. Wild Turkeys

Robert Butler. Deer in Clearing

Robert Butler
Butler, of African and Cherokee heritage, was born in 1943 in Baxley, Georgia. He moved with his mother to Okeechobee, Florida, when he was four years old. His mother, Annie Tolifer Butler, picked tomatoes, cleaned motel rooms, and was a waitress to support herself and her son. Robert worked as a hospital orderly and married and had nine children. He began painting around 1968.

Unlike most of the other Highwaymen, Butler was drawn to painting wildlife, a natural subject since the area around Okeechobee was known for its hunting and fishing. His paintings became immediately popular, particularly in Okeechobee. He took his paintings on the road as well and there is no doubt that he could make sales. Tall, handsome, and good at promoting his work, he sold many of his paintings to the local ranchers. His paintings show the detail of a scientist and he is exacting in making sure that the plants and animals in his paintings are depicted accurately.

“My focus is on the river and streams of Florida,” he said. “I wanted to do documentary painting in the style of Norman Rockwell to bring attention to Florida.” Butler opened his own art gallery in Lakeland, Florida. He is a Knight of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of the Ethiopian Empire by order of His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Haile Selassie.

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About The Author Foreword by Gary R. Libby Excerpt Overview Royal Poinciana Ocean Shore Breaking Waves “Fireskies” Indian River St. Lucie and Inland Rivers Backcountry Backcountry Pines River of Grass People Stormy Weather Moonlight on the Water Orange Groves and Rarities A.E. Backus Alfred Hair Harold Newton R. A. (Roy) McLendon James Gibson Livingston (Castro) Roberts Mary Ann Carroll Al Black Sam Newton Curtis Arnett Hezekiah Baker Ellis Buckner George Buckner Robert Butler Johnny Daniels Willie Daniels Rodney Demps Issac Knight R. L. (Robert) Lewis John Maynor Alphonso (Poncho) Moran Lemuel Newton Willie Reagan Carnell (Pete) Smith Charles Walker S. M. (Sylvester) Wells Charles Wheeler

THE ARTISTS A.E. Backus Alfred Hair Harold Newton R. A. (Roy) McLendon James Gibson Livingston (Castro) Roberts Mary Ann Carroll Al Black Sam Newton Curtis Arnett Hezekiah Baker Ellis Buckner George Buckner Robert Butler Johnny Daniels Willie Daniels Rodney Demps Issac Knight R. L. (Robert) Lewis John Maynor Alphonso (Poncho) Moran Lemuel Newton Willie Reagan Carnell (Pete) Smith Charles Walker S. M. (Sylvester) Wells Charles Wheeler		THE ARTISTS Robert Butler. Wild Turkeys Robert Butler. Deer in Clearing Robert Butler Butler, of African and Cherokee heritage, was born in 1943 in Baxley, Georgia. He moved with his mother to Okeechobee, Florida, when he was four years old. His mother, Annie Tolifer Butler, picked tomatoes, cleaned motel rooms, and was a waitress to support herself and her son. Robert worked as a hospital orderly and married and had nine children. He began painting around 1968. Unlike most of the other Highwaymen, Butler was drawn to painting wildlife, a natural subject since the area around Okeechobee was known for its hunting and fishing. His paintings became immediately popular, particularly in Okeechobee. He took his paintings on the road as well and there is no doubt that he could make sales. Tall, handsome, and good at promoting his work, he sold many of his paintings to the local ranchers. His paintings show the detail of a scientist and he is exacting in making sure that the plants and animals in his paintings are depicted accurately. “My focus is on the river and streams of Florida,” he said. “I wanted to do documentary painting in the style of Norman Rockwell to bring attention to Florida.” Butler opened his own art gallery in Lakeland, Florida. He is a Knight of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of the Ethiopian Empire by order of His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Haile Selassie.
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