Oil Paintings by Rodney D. Butler
Rodney D. Butler, Me in a Box, 2024, Oil on Canvas Board
Rodney D. Butler is a native Houstonian. While attending James Madison High School, he excelled at art, wood shop, and drafting. After graduating from high school, he attended Tuskegee University where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. While working for a local architecture firm, he realized the industry was headed in the 3D design direction, so he decided to pursue a degree in Computer Animation at the Art Institute of Houston. It was there that Rodney realized he was an artist at heart, which came as no surprise to those who knew him best.
A few years after graduating from the Art Institute, Rodney decided to take a welding class. From there he started building BBQ pits in his spare time and used the scraps to build sculptures. This led to the creation of an art style he calls “Green Metal Art.” This style involves taking scrap metal and other equipment parts deemed unusable and recycling them into art. A few years later after attending a friend’s painting event, he fell in love with painting. Now, whether it’s traditional brushes or airbrushing, he can use his skills learned in various schools and workshops to express his inspirations on any painting surface he chooses.
Rodney’s work has been featured in various galleries and museums such as Houston Museum of African American Culture, Bert Long Jr. Gallery, Texas Southern University Museum, The Black Cowboy Museum, Buffalo Soldier National Museum, 9th Street Studios, San Antonio Art League & Museum, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Cooperstown Art Association & The Smithy, Alpharetta Arts Center, University of Houston Clear Lake Art Gallery, and In the Eye of The Beholder Art Gallery & Studio.
I am a modern-day Renaissance artist, meaning I draw, sculpt, paint, cook, and do architectural design along with digital art and photography. However, I’m known best for my different styles of painting and “Green Metal Art” sculpture building. So, whether it’s oil painting, airbrushing, blacksmithing, or welding, I am willing to try and use any materials I can to execute my artistic vision.
Read our interview below to get a glimpse into Rodney D. Butler’s creative journey.
How do you source the materials for your “Green Metal Art”? Do you have any interesting stories about acquiring specific pieces of scrap metal?
Originally, my materials came from the scraps left over from building BBQ pits and the dumpster at my old apartment complex. Now, they come from anywhere: scrap yards, construction sites, old machine shops, junk yards, etc. If someone is giving it away or selling it for cheap and if I can weld it, then I’ll take it.
The funny story is when I first started, I was just practicing my welding skills and a good female friend, artist, and interior designer said, “That looks like art.” I was like, “You like that, huh?” Next thing you know I’m making her stuff, teaching her how to weld and we both started doing local festivals. I guess you can say that if it wasn’t for her, I would still be somewhere building BBQ pits and trailers as a hobby.
Can you share a memorable experience or project from your time at the Art Institute of Houston that significantly impacted your artistic development?
The Art Institute of Houston is where I realized I was an artist. Up until then, I thought I was just a weird guy who liked to draw cool stuff. It wasn’t until I was immersed in an artist community that I realized who I really was. I also realized that I was good. I made the best grades I ever made in my life while holding down a full-time job at an architecture firm. I first realized I was good when my classroom assignment was stolen out of an exhibit space.
Rodney D. Butler, Mardi Gras Parade, 2023, Oil on Canvas
How has your background in computer animation contributed to your work as a metal artist and painter? Are there specific techniques or principles from animation that you apply to your physical art?
My background in computer animation helps me to visualize my art three-dimensionally before I paint or build. In animation you learn that composition is key. Everything from the way your subject looks, takes up space, flows, reflects light, and in some cases, what’s around it. There aren’t too many differences between building a 3D model or scene and building a sculpture or good painting.
What range of emotions do you experience when creating art?
My emotions run the whole gambit, from being excited about the idea to being anxious to start, to being happy to start, to not liking the way it’s coming out, to hating it and then accepting it for what it is and changing direction. Then back to liking it, then loving it, then fatigue sets in and then I must accept the imperfections and be cautious not to mess up or go too far. Then finally completion or abandonment, it all depends on how you look at it.
Are there any artists, either historical or contemporary, who inspire you? Do their styles or philosophies influence your work?
When it comes to painting, I pull inspiration from old master baroque painters like Rembrandt and Caravaggio. I am also inspired by contemporary painters like Ernest Vincent Wood III, Eddie Filer Jr and Alvin Roy. These artists continue to influence my drawing and painting techniques, style of painting, color palette, subject matter, work ethic, lighting techniques, you name it. They are the pillars on which I’m building my voice as a painter.
Rodney D. Butler, The Dirty South, 2024, Oil on Canvas Board
What advice would you give to others who are trying to decide if art is the right path for them?
First, look inside your heart and accept the truth that you are an artist, regardless of what those around you may say. Once you do that, you are already on the path. Next, get out there and find a healthy community of artist friends that will help you grow and find your voice as an artist.
You have exhibited your work at a lot of festivals, galleries, and museums. How do you seek out opportunities?
In the beginning, most of my opportunities came by word of mouth, from artist to artist. These days, most of my opportunities come from social media, art associations and organizations, gallery newsletters and mailing lists, along with websites designed for festivals, galleries, and museums all over the country to post their monthly events and artist calls.
What do you look forward to most in your art career?
Growing, learning all I can, and seeing where the journey takes me. I tell people that if you had told me years ago that I would be where I’m at—doing what I do, meeting people, going places, seeing things most don’t get to see, along with being given all these opportunities to tell my story and show my work—I wouldn’t have believed you. So, I’m looking forward to where this journey will lead me because, in my eyes, “I ain’t even supposed to be here.”
Rodney D. Butler, Homecoming, 2022, Oil on Canvas
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