Known for his career in illustration, Neil Boyle (1931–2006) also achieved acclaim with his vibrantly painted Western subjects in his later years. Born in Alberta, Canada, he initially studied art at the Banff School of Fine Arts and went on to study at the Chouinard Art Institute. He taught for fifteen years at the California Art Institute and also created illustrations for popular magazines and calendars. Boyle’s connection with popular culture continued in his imagery of notable people and album covers for musicians such as Glenn Miller and Henry Mancini. Whether a painting of a woman in a garden, or a well-known Native American chief, Neil’s strength has always been portraiture.

A member of a number of prestigious painting groups including being a Master Signature member of the Oil Painters of America, Boyle would often sign his paintings with the tongue in cheek acronym “BSWCA” which stood for Big Shot West Coast Artist.