Bert Seabourn facts for kids

Bert Dail Seabourn (born July 9, 1931 – died November 17, 2022) was an American painter. He was known for his unique style, often called expressionist or neo-expressionist. This means his art showed feelings and ideas rather than just looking exactly like real life.

Early in his career, Bert drew for comic books and created realistic art. He also did commercial art for businesses. He won many awards for his amazing artwork. Bert went to Oklahoma City University, and later, the university gave him a special honorary degree in 1997.

Bert's Early Life and Art Journey

Bert Seabourn was born on July 9, 1931, in Redbarn, Pecos County, Texas. When he was just five years old, Bert started drawing cartoons. He loved drawing cartoons all through high school.

In seventh grade, his family moved to Purcell, Oklahoma. In eighth grade, something really cool happened: Bert sold one of his cartoons! It was published in a real comic book by King Features Syndicate. Even though he didn't take any art classes in high school, he graduated from Purcell High School in 1950.

Bert went to college for a short time but paused his studies to marry Bonnie Jo Tompkins. In 1955, he started going to night school at Oklahoma City University (OCU). While studying, he worked as a freelance artist for companies like Southwestern Bell and Oklahoma Today Magazine. He also worked for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company for 23 years. In 1961, Bert earned an Art Certificate from OCU. Years later, in 1997, OCU gave him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Bert's Time in the Navy

In November 1950, Bert joined the Navy in Oklahoma City. This was at the start of the Korean War. He left for San Diego in March 1951.

During his time in the Navy, Bert used his art skills. He created training brochures with illustrations. These showed things like how to leave a plane safely or how to put on a life vest. He also became the art director for the Navy's monthly magazine for two years. Later, he moved to Pearl Harbor. There, he worked with other artists, writers, and photographers. They created art for different ships at sea. Bert also got his cartoons published in many magazines while he was in the Navy. His first big art project was painting the mess hall!

Bert's Unique Art Style

Bert Seabourn's painting style changed a lot over time. He started with cartoons as a kid. Then, he moved to more realistic art, which looked like real life.

But at Oklahoma City University, he met an instructor named Roger White. White inspired Bert to try abstract painting. Abstract art doesn't try to show things exactly as they look. Instead, it uses shapes, colors, and lines to create a feeling or idea. This abstract expressionism became the style Bert was famous for.

Bert also became well-known for painting about Native American subjects. He was inspired after visiting an art show in Tulsa. He wanted to paint Native American themes in a new and different way.

Bert was very involved in the Native American art world for a long time. However, a law called the Indian Arts and Crafts Act was passed in 1990. Because Bert didn't have official proof of his Native American heritage from a specific tribe, this law meant he couldn't legally call himself an "Indian Artist" when selling his work.

One of Bert's most famous works is Wind Walker. It's a huge bronze sculpture, 23 feet tall, that was revealed in 1988.

Awards Bert Won

Bert Seabourn received many important awards for his art:

• 1976 - He was named a Master Artist by the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.
• 1981 - He received the Governor’s Arts Award from the Oklahoma Arts Council.
• 1997 - He was given an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
• 2009 - He won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Paseo Arts Association.

About Bert's Family

Bert Seabourn lived in Oklahoma City with his wife, Bonnie. They had three daughters named Connie, Angela, and Jimmie.

Bert passed away on November 17, 2022, when he was 91 years old.