Neil Boyle, BSWCA

April 5, 1931 - February 4, 2006


Neil Boyle originally from Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, was widely known for his vibrant impressionist oils. His formal education included training at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Alberta, Canada, Chouinard Art Institute and Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. Boyle taught at both art schools in Los Angeles and held an associate professorship with the University of California at Long Beach and Northridge. After teaching for fifteen years at the California Art Institute in Westlake Village, CA Neil decided it was time for a change. So he and his wife, Betty,  moved to Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada.

  

Before turning to fine art he was a successful commercial illustrator, having done work for many major publications and corporations such as The Ford Motor Company, Rand Corporation, Reader's Digest and Cosmopolitan. Awards were bestowed upon him by the Society of Illustrators in New York, Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Art Directors Club. The award from the Society of Illustrators in Los Angeles was a Life Achievement Award of which there were only six living recipients. Four of his works were chosen by the U.S. Postal Service for the commemorative Bicentennial stamp series "Contributors to the Cause". Over forty of his works have been chosen for the U.S. Air Force Art Collection in the Smithsonian, the Pentagon and in their traveling shows. His work may also be found at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 

Neil was a Master Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of the Northwest Rendezvous Group and a Signature Member of the California Art Club. He was also a Senior Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. And, a lifetime member of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and Tucson's infamous Mountain Oyster Club. Many have wondered what the initials BSWCA stood for. When Neil first became interested in being a "fine artist" he noticed that the others all had some sort of initials after their signatures. So he made up his own. BSWCA is an acronym for Big Shot West Coast Artist. It didn't take long for him to acquire the legitimate initials he had once coveted but his collectors would be very disappointed if he didn't include the BSWCA. 

MAGAZINE ARTICLES:

"Southwest Art", May 1979, The Past without Flies or Dust
"Artist of the Rockies and the Golden West", Summer 1983, Boyle
"ART of the WEST", September/October 1988, Properly Improper
"International Fine Art Collector", March 1991, Soiled Doves and Sissy Ladies
"ART of the WEST", January/February 1992, The Studio
"ART of the WEST", May/June 1999, Smile Darn Ya, Smile
"ART of the WEST", March/April 2003, A Man of Many Talents
"International Artist", August/September 2004, Master Painters Canadian Showcase
"International Artist", February/March 2006, Don't Wait Around for Inspiration