Timeless Echoes: the Life and Art of Robert Butler, a full color autobiography of 400 pages, features over 200 photos of Robert Butler art, as well as another 65 of art by each of his nine children, who became talented artists in their own right. Over 100 photos of Butler's life round out this most fascinating book of historic proportion. Through talent, a fierce work ethic, and a winning personality, Butler moved from a turpentine still in Baxley, Georgia, to international fame as an artist, being named as one of the 26 original Florida Highwaymen. Butler's journey led him around the world and into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. This book reveals the "heart behind the art" of Robert Butler. The one thing that rings clear throughout this book is that the hand of destiny was upon this man from very early childhood. As an African American artist struggling to survive midst the Civil Rights era of our country and facing myriads of conflicts, and even though Robert attempted to escape those conflicts, it was those very conflicts which served him well by honing his natural ability to paint and outfitting him with an eye to see the rapidly diminishing landscapes of a wild Florida. It pushed him to put those landscapes to canvas before they completely disappeared. Destiny had in mind to see to it that this artist would be the only artist attributed to having painted every ecosystem in wild Florida, something which will never be repeated in history, as many of these ecosystems no longer exist, having succumbed to "progress." Butler paintings are distinctive in their dramatically lit, romanticized portrayals of his beloved wild Florida. His paintings are known to be finely detailed, while exuding an ethereal light in them, giving them an almost sacred quality, the music of his heart. He managed in his autobiography, just as he did in his art, to strike a balance in celebrating wild Florida, while at the same time grieving at her passing. In reading this book, one cannot help but grow their love and admiration for the swamps, palmetto flats, hardwood forests, rivers, lakes, pine flats, and wildlife of wild Florida. The reader will come to understand not only the art of Robert Butler, but also the very heart of Robert Butler and his love for wild Florida. As one reviewer of the book said, "This book is one of the best, recently written books on personal development." Another reviewer stated, "Butler's story will indicate that he . . . found (his life's) purpose and defined it. Along the way, he discovered universal laws that he used to give generously back to the world. And you thought this book was about art!" Just as he realized his dream of seeing his life story in print, Robert Butler laid down his paintbrush for the last time and departed this life on March 19, 2014. However, Florida, as well as the whole world, will forever know that "the Butler was here."
About the Author: Through talent, a fierce work ethic, and a winning personality, Robert Butler moved from a turpentine still in Baxley, Georgia, to international fame as an artist. One of the original 26 Florida Highwaymen artists, Robert Butler became best known for his natural landscape and wildlife paintings of wild Florida. The one thing that rang clear throughout the life of Robert Butler was that the hand of destiny was upon him from very early childhood. As an African American artist struggling to survive midst the Civil Rights era of our country and facing myriads of conflicts, and even though Robert attempted to escape those conflicts, it was those very conflicts which served him well by honing his natural ability to paint and outfitting him with an eye to see the rapidly diminishing landscapes of wild Florida. It pushed him to put those landscapes to canvas before they completely disappeared. This artist would be the only artist attributed to having painted every ecosystem in wild Florida, something which will never be repeated in history, as many no longer exist, having succumbed to "progress." Butler paintings are distinctive in their dramatically lit, romanticized portrayals of his beloved wild Florida. His paintings are known to be finely detailed, while exuding an ethereal light in them, giving them an almost sacred quality, the music of his heart. He has managed in his paintings to strike a balance in celebrating wild Florida, while at the same time grieving at her passing. Robert's journey led him around the world and into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004. His paintings grace thousands of homes and businesses, galleries, museums, and government buildings throughout the United States and in many other countries. He was sought out by conservationists and environmentalists alike to assist them in advancing their causes. Robert Butler and his wife of more than 50 years, Dorothy, together parented nine children, each of whom became an artist in his own right. Just as he realized his dream of seeing his life story in print, Robert Butler laid down his paintbrush for the last time and departed this life on March 19, 2014. Through his story, Florida, as well as the whole world, will know that "the Butler was here." Books by Robert Butler: Timeless Echoes: The Life and Art of Robert Butler Highwaymen Artists: An Untold Truth The Cracker Cowman: The Heritage of Florida Ranches as Depicted by Artist Robert Butler