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 "P-51 Ace, Donald Bryan"
Limited Edition 12" by 18" Print Signed and numbered by the artist and co-signed by P-51 Ace, Donald Bryan
Donald Bryan graduated from flying school at Luke Field, Arizona in the class of 42G. He was then sent to the 79th Pursuit Squadron at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and was checked out in the P-40. In March of 1943 he was sent to Mitchell Field, New York and was checked out in the P-47 and assigned to the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. In July 1943 the group was deployed to England and stationed in Botney.
Donald flew on the group’s first operational mission in September 1943. He named his Thunderbolt after his fiancée, "Little One". He claimed 4.5 aerial victories flying the Thunderbolt along with several trains and other ground targets. His group was then assigned new P-51B’s, and Donald named his Mustang, "Little One II".
Donald returned to the States and married his "Little One" and then returned to his unit in July 1944. Upon Donald’s return, he was assigned a new P-51D-10 Mustang with "Little One III" on the cowling shown above. Donald kept his "Little One III" highly polished and brilliant. Donald’s group was transferred to Belgium and on the flight over he downed a Bf109.
At this time of the war German jets were making their appearance and Donald saw several but was not in position to attack. He saw one of the German twin-engine jet bombers and mistook it for a B-26. The enemy bomber was the Arado Ar234. Two weeks later he saw another Arado and pulled in behind but before he could fire, the Arado simply pulled away. Donald got another chance on December 21, 1944. During a bomber escort mission one of the Arado bombers passed under their flight. Donald, upon first sighting, spun around and pursued the jet. He was able to fire and see one hit on the bomber but it raced away.
On March 14,1945 Donald and his flight was returning to base from another bombing escort mission when another Arado crossed their path. Donald knew that his Mustang could out turn the bomber but not outrun him. Donald would try to cut him off. Donald broke from the American bombers. The Luftwaffe jet bomber turned to the right. Donald was able to intercept the German but the jet pulled away. The Ar-234 made another right turn and Donald lined up their intercepting paths. As the bomber passed under Donald, Don rolled over on his back to 90 degrees upside down and pulled behind the jet. Before the jet could race away and while Don was still upside down, Don fired from 100 yards. Donald saw hits on both engines of the jet, which started to smoke. The German slowed and Donald rolled out behind the jet and closed in for the kill. Donald followed the jet down firing into the stricken aircraft till it nose dived into the earth.
Donald was credited with 13.3 aerial victories with five in one mission becoming an ace in a day. He retired from the Air Force in November 1964. His received the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters.
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