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-47 Ace Gerald Johnson"
Limited Edition 12" by 18" Print Signed and numbered by the artist and co-signed by P-47 Ace, Gerald Johnson
Gerald Walter Johnson was assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group. He was transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut where his group received the first P-47 delivered to a tactical unit.
The group was sent to England and stationed at Kings Cliffe. Johnson’s first combat mission was also the first mission of the 56th Fighter Group, which was a fighter sweep over the western border of Belgium and France. Gerald flew wing for their commander, Colonel Hub Zemke.
Johnson claimed his first aerial victory on June 26th by downing an FW 190 north of Dieppe. In early August, Gerald claimed two Bf 109’s and was promoted to Captain on August 10, 1943. He then shared in the downing of a Bf 110 on the 17th and downed another Bf 109 on the 19th.
Johnson became the group’s first ace on October 10th with the downing of a Bf 110 and a Bf 210 in a battle north of Munster. Johnson was sent to the 360th Fighter Squadron to train the new group with his combat experiences. While working with the 360th Johnson claimed another aerial victory of a FW 190 on January 24,1944.
Johnson returned to the 56th Fighter Group to become commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron scoring seven more aerial victories. On March 27th 1944, Johnson flew his last mission-flying escort for bombers. After the bomb run, Johnson led his fighters down to look for targets of opportunity. Johnson spotted a freight train and descended with his guns ripping into the rolling stock. Explosions rocked the train as Johnson pulled up. Looking back he saw his men getting devastating strikes as well. Johnson came around for another final pass. As he approached the train antiaircraft fire struck his engine knocking it out completely. Flying at only 200 feet off the ground, Johnson pulled up over the train and headed for a group of trees. The plane was coming down and Johnson fought the controls to keep the aircraft stable. The heavy P-47 mashed down into the tops of the trees and came out over a plowed field where it hit and skidded to a stop. Gerald was captured and held as a POW for the duration of the war until he was liberated in May 1945.
Johnson was credited with 18 ½ aerial victories, one probable, and 4 ½ damaged. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 4 OLCs, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals and the French Croix De Guerre with Silver Star.
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