Many things separate the late Guy LaBree from other artists. Aside from the fact he was known as the
Barefoot Artist.
What made the man unique?
#1 He wrestled alligators for tourist tips in his youth and once again in his fifties for nostalgia. He was
taught by Alan Jumper whom he first me3t in elementary school and stayed friends for over sixty years.
#2 He hunted snakes, barefoot, especially for rattlers and moccasins to sell for pocket money in his
teens.
#3 In the 1940s he attended Dania Elementary with Seminole Indian children when they were finally
allowed to attend by Tribal leaders and the county school board. Guy spent many sleepovers in their
primitive chickee village and they spent time at the LaBree home.
#4 He was a teen groom at the end of his 19th year with 17-year-old Patti, contentedly married and
in love until his death at age 73. (January 1, 2015)
#5 Guy and Pat LaBree migrated to Australia in 1970 taking their three young children with them.
They bought a home outside of Brisbane and he helped modernize two print shops where he was a
lithographer. One of his fellow workers and friend was an Aboriginal. The family explored the wilds and beaches until 1973 when they returned to Hollywood, FL. While in Australia, Guy entered his first mall art show. On returning to the U.S. he exhibited for sale at many outdoor shows, businesses, art club
juried shows, and money raisers. Ducks Unlimited showcased Guy LaBree twice as their featured artist.
By 1983 he was ready to be a full-time artist.
#6 The Seminole Tribal leaders showed their respect for Guy LaBree two times at invitational
gatherings
at two museums. There they honored him with speeches, songs, and solo art exhibits. The first
retrospective was in 2001 at the St. Petersburg Historical Museum as part of Discover Native America
sponsored by the Seminole Tribe at Eckerd College. For the event, the Seminole Tribune had a
special four-page supplement about Guy and his art. Numerous other LaBree features over the years were in various editions. The last retrospective (June-Nov 2015) was arranged to look like his art room in
the
Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Reservation to commemorate the memory of the Barefoot
Artist. A photographer captured old friend Alan Jumper near a LaBree painting of his mother Ms.
Tommie Jumper. Ms. Tommie had welcomed the child LaBree into their camp decades before. Also in
attendance was Guy LaBree’s first-grade friend, Dan Bowers along with many other friends and family
remembering Guy LaBree and his love for them.
#7 The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian has two Guy LaBree art images in their permanent
collection.’ “Genesis” and “Exodus” were told to Guy by head medicine man, Sonny Billie for the
museum’s grand opening in Washington, D.C. The LaBrees were flown there on the Seminole corporate
jet to take part in the Indian Mall Walk and museum festivities.
#8 On the lighter side, Guy once got a phone call from actor, Burt Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds talked with Guy about art and his recent gator experience in sexing them. (I.E. distinguishing male from
female.)
#9 Through all of the fame, Guy LaBree remained a humble artist. He always marveled that people
would spend thousands on his oil paintings. He was friends with three Seminole chiefs: James Billie,
Mitchell Cypress and Betty Mae Jumper all commissioned his paintings. Also having LaBree
collections are the Seminole Tribe’s presidents, councilmen, and medicine people. Tribal member Rita
Youngman, singer/songwriter/businesswoman owns the largest LaBree originals art collection. Guy
played guitar and encouraged Rita to do more with her talent and she dedicated her first CD on
Seminole history songs to Guy. (The Marshtackie and I.) The Seminole Tribe’s only woman chief, Betty
Mae Jumper, asked Guy to illustrate her book “Legends of the Seminole.” [Pineapple Press] Her son,
Moses “Big Shot” Jumper, wrote a beautiful poem about Guy and read it at both LaBree tributes. At the 2001 tribute in St. Petersburg, FL, Betty Mae was present. Also present was Florida Hall of Fame singer, Frank Thomas. He played and sang a song he wrote titled, “The Barefoot Artist, Guy LaBree.” Alan
Jumper, who originally suggested that Guy paint legends and history, was there to make a speech about the fun and drama in their youth.
#10 Guy’s “Battle of Okeechobee” is a well know art representation of that Second Seminole War
encounter and he was privileged to introduce two descendants of that battle at it’s a first re-enactment. Chief James Billie shook hands with Gentry Sayaad whose ancestor was Colonel Gentry of Missouri Volunteer fame. The Seminole Chief lost the auction bidding to the Missouri family for Guy’s
painting “Charge On! Charge On!” of Gentry’s wounding. It was displayed at the Jefferson Barracks’ Museum in Missouri. This was not a problem for Chief James Billie as he had purchased over 60 LaBree oils in the past.
#11 LaBree was the only white fine artist to display at the First Seminole Hard Rock Casino opening in Hollywood, Fl. Later he was invited to exhibit at the Tampa Hard Rock Casino opening. Before being
designated for a casino, it had been the location of their museum and tourist attraction. LaBree art was the feature at its double-header opening festivities and his art was a permanent feature in the museum. Several other pieces are in the Veteran’s Building on the Brighton Reservation. The LaBree’s attended the grand opening.
#12 Tallahassee 2014, Guy was honored to be given the State of Florida Folk Heritage Award. It was
given “For being an advocate of the Seminole culture through his art.” It certainly was a pinnacle
of a career dotted with a lifetime of Best of Show; blue ribbons; invitations to speak of Seminole history shown in his art from history books to verbal interviews with Seminole friends and acquaintances. He
spoke at colleges and museums; was invited to display at John & Mabie Ringling Art Museum; three
different Florida Secretaries of State’s offices; and the Florida Capitol Museum. We’re willing to
bet the
Secretary of State and Governor’s wife never gave the award to a gator wrestling, third-generation
Floridian who was a snake handler, long-time friend to and artist of the Seminole Tribe; Australian
explorer but returned to his beloved Florida, eventually settling in Arcadia. He stayed a humble,
empathetic, humorous, kind, giving, down-to-earth man. At the end of his life, he turned to his wife
of 53 years and said, “If it’s my time – I love you!” Many friends and family return the same sentiment.
GUY LaBREE 1941-2015