Florida Panther- The Fight for Survival

As the evening sunlight makes it's last paths through the deep Florida woods, a rare sight is being witnessed. A mother Florida panther watches over... more

by Daniel Butler

Original - Sold

Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

40.000 x 30.000 x 1.000 inches

Title

Florida Panther- The Fight for Survival

Artist

Daniel Butler

Medium

Painting - Acrylic

Description

As the evening sunlight makes it's last paths through the deep Florida woods, a rare sight is being witnessed. A mother Florida panther watches over her pair of young blue-eyed cubs as they become fascinated by a duo of dragon flies passing their space. The panther primarily dwells in pine forests, oak hammocks, and mixed swamp areas, they are also currently on the critically endangered list as they now number at about 160 cats in the wild and they occupy only 5% of their normal territory, a sad story indeed. My Father, the late Florida Hall of Fame/Highwaymen/landscape/wildlife artist "Robert Butler" would tell us many years ago that "One day you will look up and not see some of the same insects, won't be able to hear wild cats scream in the deep woods, maybe not even see a scrub jay perched atop a myrtle oak, so as an artist you are responsible for your part in the preservation of the beauty that surrounds you through your art" . The Florida Cowboy" barn in the background was a fitting addition to this painting because to me, it also represents an important part of Florida that should always be saved. The name "Cracker Cowboy" is derived from the cowboys habit of caking a whip above the heads of those stubborn cattle that loved to hold up deep in the palmetto and brush along the trails. The cowboys also had their own hearty breed of cattle horse that was strong and quick, could stand up to harsh brush, rugged tropical like climate of Florida they had to endure. From bees to turpentine, you name it, Florida had it, thus the old log wagon I placed beneath the barn. Sometimes these barns served as shelter from an angry storm, to store spare parts for wagons that passed through, that allowed for anyone on the trail to use what was needed then replace it the next time they passed. I would think whenever an old timer sees one of these barns, or hears a story about the past, it would bring up more good than bad memories. To join in the continued effort to preserve some of the treasures of our past is only a small part the artist can put his efforts into. Sadly, the panthers range has all but disappeared.

Uploaded

April 24th, 2015