Portrait of an Artist: Paul Overstreet drew inspiration from nature FORKLAND - The artist community is sadden by the death of Paul W. Overstreet, known as "Boyle County's premier wildlife artist" by his associates and friends. Overstreet, 75, died Christmas Day at his residence after a bout with cancer. He began drawing when he was a young boy growing up on the Fork, a section of Boyle County he said provided his inspiration for scenes from the woods. He continued the hobby until 1980, when he took his art more seriously, quit his job with the state, and devoted most of his time to drawing and painting woodland scenes featuring animals, birds, wildflowers, trees and streams. "By reputation, Paul is known as Boyle County's premier wildlife artist," said local artist Wilma Brown, who knew Overstreet for more than 20 years. "I have enjoyed Paul as a person, and I respected him a great deal as an artist. He has shared his information with others and was always interested in what other artists were doing," Brown said. "As an artist, Paul was versatile. He painted with oil, watercolor and had a great attention to detail," Brown said. Brown doesn't think many people understand how an artist paints for 60 years and has a great influence on the public. "The volume of Paul's work speaks for itself," Brown said. "He has a distinguished record as an artist, and he's leaving behind art that appeals to the general public. I'm sorry he's gone." Overstreet and his wife, the former Jean Edwards, grew up in Forkland and attended Forkland High School. Friends Doris and Carroll Purdom grew up in the community with Overstreet and his wife. Overstreet always enjoyed talking with visitors at the annual Forkland Festival, Doris Purdom said. He exhibited his art and handmade guns during the event. Sometimes he came dressed as an early Kentucky pioneer. "His art display was such an asset to the festival," she said, adding that he donated several prints to the community center. "I also enjoyed the political articles he wrote for the newspaper." Purdom recalls Overstreet singing solos in high school and at Gravel Switch United Methodist Church where he was song leader for many years. Services for Overstreet will be 1 p.m. Friday at Wilder Funeral Home, Perryville. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. today. Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2007 A link to the story is here http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37208&format=html