Robert Butler (artist)
Encyclopedia
Robert Butler is an American painter
best known for his portrayals of the woods and backwater
s around Florida
's Everglades
. He is a member of the well-known African-American artist's group, The Highwaymen
, Georgia
, in 1943. Raised by his mother, Annie Talifer Butler, who always took time to instill the principles of faith and compassion in her family, Butler considers his upbringing as "classically American."
In 1947, Robert moved to Okeechobee
, Florida
, where he later became intimately familiar with the woods and waters of the Florida Everglades, and especially Lake Okeechobee
, that feature prominently in his paintings.
His professional career began in 1968. In the early days, he often sold his paintings door-to-door or on the roadside. He honed his skills by creating upwards of one hundred paintings per year. Despite a lack of formal training, Robert developed his own style, which was exemplified by dramatically-lit and romanticized portrayals of landscapes..
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
best known for his portrayals of the woods and backwater
Backwater (river)
A backwater is a part of a river in which there is little or no current. It refers either to a branch of a main river which lies alongside it and then rejoins it or to a body of water in a main river which is backed up by an obstruction such as the tide or a dam.-Alternative channel:If a river has...
s around Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
's Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
. He is a member of the well-known African-American artist's group, The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen (artists)
The Highwaymen, also referred to as the Florida Highwaymen, are a group of 26 named and listed landscape artists who have been called "The Last Great American Art Movement of the 20TH century"...
Early life
Butler was born in the small timber and farming community of BaxleyBaxley, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,150 people, 1,567 households, and 1,048 families residing in the city. The population density was 580.7 people per square mile . There were 1,866 housing units at an average density of 261.1 per square mile...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, in 1943. Raised by his mother, Annie Talifer Butler, who always took time to instill the principles of faith and compassion in her family, Butler considers his upbringing as "classically American."
In 1947, Robert moved to Okeechobee
Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee is a city in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,376 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,784. It is the county seat of Okeechobee County. The Speckled Perch Festival is held annually in honor of the most...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, where he later became intimately familiar with the woods and waters of the Florida Everglades, and especially Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee , locally referred to as The Lake or The Big O, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. It is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the United States and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the lower 48 states...
, that feature prominently in his paintings.
His professional career began in 1968. In the early days, he often sold his paintings door-to-door or on the roadside. He honed his skills by creating upwards of one hundred paintings per year. Despite a lack of formal training, Robert developed his own style, which was exemplified by dramatically-lit and romanticized portrayals of landscapes..
See also
- The HighwaymenThe Highwaymen (artists)The Highwaymen, also referred to as the Florida Highwaymen, are a group of 26 named and listed landscape artists who have been called "The Last Great American Art Movement of the 20TH century"...
- LuminismLuminismLuminism can refer to*A current in North American painting, see Luminism *A neo-impressionist style in painting, see Luminism...
- A. E. BackusA. E. BackusAlbert Ernest "Bean" Backus was an American artist famous for his vivid Florida landscapes.-Early influences:...
- African American artAfrican American artAfrican American art is a broad term describing the visual arts of the American black community . Influenced by various cultural traditions, including those of Africa, Europe and the Americas, traditional African American art forms include the range of plastic arts, from basket weaving, pottery,...
External links
- Highwaymen Artsit LLC
- Research Robert Butler, AskArt.Com-The Artists Bluebook-Worldwide Edition!
- Elissa Rudolph, thesis about the history of the Highwaymen including interviews with their children.
- Highwaymen paintings lost in fire
- The Highwaymen Artist Robert Butler
- Explosion/Fire Destroys Millions In Highwaymen Paintings
- Highwaymen tradition lives on through next generation
- Video about the Highwaymen by WMFE-TV
- Portrait of a Father And Artist, Tampa Tribune Father's Day article
- The Arts Connection: Arts & Culture in Central Florida
- http://www.highwaymen-buy-sell-trade.com
- Cyberhighwaymen at redbubble.com
- Cyberhighwaymen at imagekind.com