Roy Cable

Roy was born and raised on a farm in Darke County, Ohio, and after graduating from high school, continued to help his parents on the family farm. He had grown up with a mild interest in his artistic abilities, but his center of attention was the farm and the opportunity to explore and learn about the plants and animals that were part of the surrounding habitat.

As time passed he changed his focus, fell deeply in love, and in 1937, married Evelyn Lenore Lanich. She knew of his talent as an artist since their dating days as teens and young adults. After their marriage and as the years passed, she encouraged him to develop his artistic abilities from a hobby into into a full time job, but Roy wasn't quite ready until the couple's focal point became raising their children. Roy then worked in a factory setting and to supplement his income, took on jobs as a part-time commercial artist. Designing a signboard with a landscape background brought his interest back to painting and he began art studies with Martin Wogoman of the Darke County Art Colony and Bob Brubaker of the Greenville Art Guild, both well known and well respected artists themselves.

As their children grew older, artwork also became a big part of their lives and they looked to their parents for guidance and instruction. They also took classes from Mr. Wogoman to develop their artistic skills and as they learned, they often challenged their father to become a better artist and offered their own brand of criticism and assistance. As adults, all three chose to have careers as professional artists.

As time passed, they used stone and other materials from the small creek on their property to add to their home and landscape and to construct an art studio. Roy said they had thought about moving to Florida or Michigan, but knew they would be happy in a place that would bring them so close to nature.

Their memberships were included in the Peebles Senior Citizens Club. Roy's paintings and writings were often featured in the local, county and state senior citizens competitions. In 1987, he won the Essay Contest for Adams County at the Senior Citizen Expo '87 held at the Scioto County Fairgrounds and was Overall Winner for the ten county area with his essay titled, “Youthful Memories.” He received a blue ribbon and a ten-dollar prize. That same year at the Senior Citizens art show at Rio Grande College one of his paintings was named Best of Show. The couple are also given credit for beginning the annual Adams County Christmas Bird Count in 1974. The group met at the Adams County Courthouse, divided the county into fairly equal sections that extended out in a fifteen mile radius. The volunteers would take note of the number of birds seen and their particular species. For example, in 1983, there were 23 observers and 57 species. In 1990, 8,133 birds were sighted, representing 70 species.

As mentioned before, Roy wrote poetry. One of his works appeared in The Greene County-Record on November 19, 2004.

The Catalogue That Hung Upon the Wall

by Roy Cable

In the corner of the garden stood the outhouse,

A building with no rugs upon the floor.

And the only window in the garden cottage,

Was a half-moon just above the swinging door.

This little structure wasn't built for comfort,

In fact, there was no furniture at all.

And the only decoration in this little cottage,

Was the catalogue that hung upon the wall.

No grass grew upon the narrow pathway,

For it was used through summer, spring and fall.

For hurrying steps were just not made to linger,

To reach that catalogue that hung upon the wall.

In winter we often wondered, “Will I ever make it?”

Praying that we'd never slip and fall,

As we hurried o'er the icy slippery pathway,

And that catalogue that hung upon the wall.

An old broom in the corner of the outhouse,

It wasn't there to keep the building neat,

It had a more important task to render,

It was there to keep the snow from the seat.

In my latter days as memories crowd around me,

There are many things that I so vividly recall,

The pathway, the little half-moon cottage,

And the catalogue that hung upon the wall.

An added note...

Their son, Lee, is an extraordinarily talented wildlife and western scenery artist best known for his paintings commissioned by the Franklin Mint, Ruger Firearms, Bradford Exchange, Danbery Mint, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. His work is also in private collections, galleries, art shows and museums around the world.  He has also won many awards. His website is www.leecableart.com    It is highly recommended you visit.