Florida Portraits by J.B. McCourtney

In thirty-three black and white portraits taken over the course of three decades McCourtney captures the pioneer  spirit of old Florida - of those prominent, important or just plain people.

Author Robert Plunket gave an informal talk about the stories behind some of the portraits on March 7 at Bellamy Road . He is a Sarasota gossip columnist for Sarasota Magazine and author of two novels - Love Junkie and My Search for Warren Harding. Plunket  also wrote an essay for Walker Evans' Florida, a book of  photography published by the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Born in St. Louis, McCourtney  arrived in Sarasota, Florida in 1951 and graduated from Sarasota High School in  1968. He studied photography while in England and moved back to Sarasota with a wife and child in 1972. In a long professional career as an editorial photographer he has worked for magazine publications worldwide. Over the years he has also concentrated on personal projects (such as Florida Portraits) shooting black & white in 8x10 camera format.

Among his recent awards are  numerous Florida Magazine Association “Charlie Awards”. From 2002 thru 2004,  three consecutive "Charlie Awards" for Florida Portraits and in 2005 in the category of “Best Photographic Essay” for “Motorcycle Diaries”, a black &  white essay published in Sarasota Magazine.

Lou Jacobs, circus clown
Lou Jacobs’ unique clown face was to become a signature for all the so-called ‘auguste’ clowns to follow. For more than half a century, Lou Jacobs originated many classic gags, including the motorized bathtub, midget auto and self-propelled baby carriage. One of the most recognizable clown faces, including his image on a U.S. postal stamp, Lou passed-up retirement to become the Professor of Mirthology at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Clown College.
(photograph 1984)

Roehr Family
Rita Roehr, city commissioner / mayor
In 1979, Rita Roehr was elected as Sarasota’s first female city commissioner and served two terms as the City’s first woman mayor. A third generation Florida family, the Roehrs represented politically a last line of southern democrats, so active in Sarasota’s political history.
(photograph 1984)

Mack Doss, rancher
In the late 1930’s, Mack Doss, a MyakkaValley rancher, helped organize one of the area’s first rodeos and wild west shows.
(photograph 1983)

“Trapper’  James Platt
alligator trapper
For years, the only licensed alligator trapper in a 4 county area, ‘Trapper’ Platt was called on frequently to handle nuisance and road-kill gators, while earning a living selling their hides.
In Platt’s backyard with his nephew Albert and 14 foot alligator hide. Manatee County, Florida (photographed 1982)

Syd Solomon, artist/painter
In the 1950’s, Syd and Annie Solomon founded the Sarasota School of Art. As a nationally known painter of abstract expressionism, in 1964 Syd helped establish the Fine Arts Institute at New College, paving the way for Sarasota to become Florida’s known cultural center. (photograph 1991)

Willis Underwood,
commercial fisherman / mullet smoker
At the age of 16, completing his education on a 5th grade level, Willis Underwood quit school and built his first fish ‘smoke house’. “I was sell’n enough (fish) to get money - to go to the movies.” At 19 in 1932, Willis began a career of commercial fishing with the notorious ‘rum-runner’ Ed Mead.‘Stop netting’ using cotton nets, Willis and Ed Mead fished the bays and backwaters from Tampa Bay south to the Manatee River. In southwest Florida the native fish is smoked mullet and for this, Willis Underwood today at 86, is renowned. So much so, Underwood was given the title: Official Judge for the Annual Terra Ceia Mullet Smoke-Off.
(photograph 1999)

Annie Conway, bartender / fortune teller
A fixture at Boca Grande’s Temptation Bar for years, Annie is known as much for ‘lending an ear’ as for her uncanny perception. Loved by her clientele, Annie once received a $10,000 gift for a timely medical need. An island native of Boca Grande, Annie gives occasional Tarot card readings from behind the bar. She claims that she knows just about everybody “and their genes”.
(photograph 1999)

Bellamy Road, Melrose Florida

 

Florida Portraits by J.B. McCourtney