The rural southwest Florida town of Arcadia has a hiddentreasure a few miles from the Peace River. Nestled among the pines,
palmettos and oak trees lives an exceptional artist, Guy
LaBree.
For the past 30 years he has produced oil paintings which allowpeople to glimpse, through visual means, the history, legends and
mythology of the Seminole Indians, Few white men areprivy to
the information LaBree has received from tribalmembers over
the past five decades. Alan Jumper, a childhoodfriend from the
reservation, encouraged him to paint theSeminole lifestyle.
He was invited by Judybill Osceola, themanager of the arts and
crafts store on the Hollywood, FLReservation to offer his paintings
there; the first white man tohave that opportunity.
Guy's first art patron was James Billie, an alligator wrestler whowas subsequently elected tribal chairman of the Florida Seminoles.
He added more than 3 dozen paintings to hiscollection during
his 5 terms In office. He also sponsoredLaBree's first one-man
art show and, more Importantly,introduced him to the tribe's
elders, medicine men andstorytellers. This enabled Guy to interview
them over the years.
To ensure accuracy, LaBree's many Seminole friends gave him insight and approval when requested. Chairman MitchellCypress and President Moses Osceola have collections ofLaBree's work.
Guy LaBreegrew up inFlorida in the 1940's and50's,
whereSeminoles lived at the Hollywood Reservation in thatched
roof chickees and dressed in unique, colorful patchwork decorated clothing.
He and his native schoolmates exchanged cultural information, which
continues to this day,
According to James Billie, "Guy LaBree is probably
as much a Seminole as anyone around here. Other artists never get the
feeling for Seminoles that Guy captures." Through his empathetic
nature, he recreates the Seminole warrior, medicine man, mother or child.
His creative ability allows him to understand other dimensions formed
by the myths in the unconscious mind of others.
By way of his brush come awe inspiring, sense arousing, dramaticscenes on canvas.
The fine arts critic; Ellen Kovan wrote, "The rich culture and
ancientways of the Seminole Tribe spring to life under LaBree's careful brush
strokes. He researches and cross references all the details in thefinely tuned oils. It is this integrity that imbues the work with
a sense ofrealism that deeply touches the viewer. The visual
impact of LaBree'swork can't be overstated. Since he began painting,
LaBree hascreated a body of work that will remain a testimony
to a populacewhich made an indelible mark on Florida history.
His work serves as alasting tribute to them."
Pat and Guy LaBree
LaBree entered his first sidewalk art show in 1973 in Australia,
Ten years later, he began his full time painting career back In the USA,when he and his wife, Pat, moved to Arcadia.
Self-taught through private studies, he has enhanced the originality and content of his work to a master's level. Two New York artcurators from the Whitney and Metropolitan Museums recognized
LaBree's talent and chose his work to be displayed in juried shows.
In June, 1994, he was one of a few select living artists to have
a 3 month exhibit at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. The
highlight of Guy's career was to be entrusted with Seminole medicine
man SonnyBillie's vision that was part of the grand opening
display of the Seminole Tribe exhibit at the National Museum of the
American Indian in Washington, D.C. in 2004.
For information or to order artwork,
please call (863-494-4207), or write
