United We All Stand, Divided We All Fall #01 The Beaver Painting

U.S.A, c. 1994

24 x 48 in (61 x 122 cm)

ID #BEAVER-Z-01

A painting divided into eight quadrants, with a man's colorful portrait inside each. The painting's bright and playful colors betray the more serious, political motto emblazoned across it: written is the phrase "United We All Stand Divided We All Fall," a phrase whose roots trace back to the New Testament and the American Revolution. The Beaver was deeply religious, and the Bible was a frequent source of inspiration for him.

For Robyn "The Beaver" Beverland, painting was never just a hobby. The Beaver was born in 1957 in Oldsmar, Florida with a rare genetic condition called Wolfrand Syndrome that left him blind in one eye and only partially sighted in the other. In addition, he also dealt with cerebral palsy and diabetes. And so, painting became his lifeline, a creative outlet that sustained him throughout his day to day struggles. The Beaver was an entirely self-taught artist, and primarily used house paint, plywood, or cardboard to make his art. His art, painted simply without conventional perspective or structure, creates a delightful feeling of immediacy and clarity. The Beaver tragically passed away in 1998. Throughout it all he always said he tried to "live every minute and treasure every day." His optimism and positivity lives on in his artwork.

Artist: Robyn "The Beaver" Beverland

Material: House paint on plywood

BEAVER-#01

1000-2500 american revolution art art brut bible caricatures christian florida folk art naive art original outsider art political portrait religious size-24x48 south southern