ERNIE BOYETTE
Ernie was born to poor parents on a sweet potato farm in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The family raised chickens, rabbits and agriculural foods. The last of seven children, his father died when he was two years old. Growing up, Ernie always helped his mother and encouraged her in her self-taught wildlife painting. When she passed away in 1985, she left him her art supplies and some blank canvasses.
Bored with a job he disliked, he decided to figure out how to paint one night in 1986. He pulled out his mom's "art stuff" and started. Never having an art lesson in life other than what he was taught in public school, Ernie did about ten paintings over the next several years. Trained in marketing, in June 1991, he decided to try art as a business. Convinced he had talent, he swore he would be making his living from his artwork, writing and photography.
Not knowing what he wanted to paint, he liked airplanes and military so he tried that. He started painting one airplane after another. In the spring of 1993, he received his first commission from an F-18 Squadron stationed at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. Commander John "Lites" Leenhouts employed him to do a black and white Limited Edition of their squadron aircraft.
In 1994 he started his series "Famous American Aviators". His first prints were his heroes, George Gay and Robert "Bob" Scott. Between January 1991 and December 2000 he painted no less than 150 paintings. From March 1993 to September 2000 he published 42 Limited Edition prints along with 36 poster prints. In the fall of 2002 he was commissioned by Cook Cleland's family to paint all three of the F2G Corsair racers that he flew in the late 1940's at the Ohio Air Races. Cook won the Thompson Trophy in 1947 and 1949. Ernie had worked with Cook in 1997 with a print of the SBD dive-bomber he flew in WWII.
In March of 2003 Ernie was officially knighted as a “Knight of Vision” for his efforts in telling the stories of Great britain's famous aviators. Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette now signs all his original paintings as Sir Hamilton.
His artwork is now marketed nationwide in aviation museum gift shops including the Smithsonian. In November of 2006 his artwork was selected by the new Pearl Harbor Museum, Hawaii, to be sold in their gift shop. Ernie's artwork has also appeared in the Aviation History magazine and his prints are marketed worldwide.
Ernie Boyette S/N Limited Edition Print "F6F Blue Angel One 'Butch' Voris"
Limited Edition 12" by 18" Print Signed and numbered by the artist and co-signed by “Blue Angel Number One”, Roy M. "Butch" Voris
In February 1942, Roy "Butch" Voris was commissioned an Ensign and was designated a Naval aviator. During WW II "Butch" flew the Grumman F4F "Wildcat" from the aircraft carrier Enterprise. On his second combat cruise he flew the Grumman F6F "Hellcat" from the carriers Enterprise and the Hornet. He became an Ace flying these two Grumman fighters.
During combat operations in the Pacific "Butch" was selected by Admiral Radford and Commander "Butch" O’Hare as one of four fighter pilots to conduct experimental night fighter operations against low flying enemy bombers conducting night attacks against U.S. landing forces at Tarawa.
"Butch" was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eleven Air Medals, three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart. He was also credited with seven aerial victories along with several other probable and possible kills. He participated in numerous fighter sweeps against enemy airfields and other enemy installations as the Navy advanced through the Pacific.
After the war, "Butch" was stationed at NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE in the Advanced Training Command. In early 1946, The Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations directed the establishment of a Navy Flight Exhibition Team to demonstrate precision fighter maneuvers at Navy air shows and at public events. "Butch" was selected to be the Officer-in-Charge and Leader of this precision flying group. As Blue Angel number one, "Butch" would lead his team into Naval Aviation history.
In forming the Navy Demonstration Flight Team, "Butch" was given the opportunity to select his aircraft, pilots and maintenance personnel from the best the Navy had to offer. Pilots were selected on personal knowledge, and the maintenance personnel from the best in each specialized rating.
The Grumman F6F "Hellcat" was selected because of its outstanding flight characteristics. Modifications reduced the aircraft weight. The new paint scheme was "Blue and Gold," traditional navy colors.
After review and approval by their high command, the team flew its first air show at the Southeastern Air Exposition at Craig Airfield, Jacksonville, Florida. For its first public performance, the team received its first trophy, which now sits in a place of honor at the home of the Blue Angels in Pensacola, Florida. The name "BLUE ANGELS" was selected by the team, and now for the past fifty years, the "Blue Angels" have served the Nation and the Navy well in breathtaking performances before millions of people worldwide.
In his first tour with the Blue Angels, "Butch" flew the F6F "Hellcat" and the F8F "Bearcat". In 1951, "Butch" was again ordered to reform and lead the team flying the F9F "Panther" jet. In both war and peace "Butch" Voris has shown the spirit that we call "AMERICAN"! "Butch" wears the mantle of "Blue Angel Number One" and is still called "BOSS" by the other"BLUES".
All artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.
Not logged in
Login Status