Ernest L. Kenton, Bronco Busting. Image from the internet.
The cow country of Central Florida produced its own Frederic Remington in Ernest” Buster” Kenton. After service in the United States Army Airforce in Europe during World War II, Kenton was one of many veterans who took advantage of the GI Bill to study art at the Ringling School in Sarasota and the Island School of Art in Key West.
Ernest L. Kenton, image from the internet.
Kenton graduated from Osceola High School in 1939 and began traveling the rodeo circuit, specializing in bull riding and bronco busting. Years later, Buster, as he liked to be called, and now a recognized artist, was quoted by a Florida newspaper, “Shucks, how can they talk of good money these days and times. I like to ride and I like to paint. It don’t matter much which I do the most of.”
Ernest L. Kenton, Kowboy Jake
In 1949 Kenton copyrighted a caricature, Kowboy Jake, designed to serve as a mascot for Osceola County, later adopted by the Kissimmee Jaycees and Osceola High School.
Kenton had a studio on Rolfe St. in Kissimmee where he did artwork for the Florida Cattleman, and a large mural for the Tropical Hotel in Kissimmee. Kenton designed a trademarked three colored decal of a squat “Cowboy Jake” for the Junior Chamber of Commerce that shouted “Howdy Partner” to tourists.
Ernest L. Kenton, Grazing Horses, oil on canvas, 22 by 30 inches. Signed lower right and dated 62.
In 1987 Kenton painted a mural for the Osceola County Courthouse annex celebrating the county’s centennial. He was recognized by the City of Kissimmee and the Osceola County Board of Commission when they declared a Buster Kenton Day. The Buster Kenton Room at the Osceola County History Center is a permanent tribute to him.
Ernest Kenton was elected to the Florida Artist’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
Education: Osceola High School, Kissimmee; Newman School of Art, Orlando; Ringling School of Art; Harrington School of Art, Orlando; Island School of Art, Key West. Born: 1927, Kissimmee. Died: March 20, 1991, Kissimmee. Exhibits: Osceola Historical Society and Osceola Center for the Arts, a retrospective of Kenton’s work, 1989; Albin Polasek Museum, Winter Park, 2019.
Ernest L. Kenton, image from the internet.
