BARTOW, Fla. — From the melodies he sings to the clothes he wears, the spirit of the Old West still lives within James Camp.

What You Need To Know

  • James "Lone Star" Camp, 85, is known for his western-themed artwork

  • Because of Camp's contributions, he received the 2025 Black History Month Champion Award from the city of Bartow

  • Camp credits his success to God and his supporter

"In school, I used to draw the circus," Camp said. "Then I started watching westerns and silver saddle and things. Fancy gun belts, silver bullets kind of took my eye."

Camp, who goes by the nickname “Lone Star,” dreamed of becoming a western actor as a child. Though the 85-year-old never made it to Hollywood, his love for the era is captured in his artwork.

“(I) haven’t spilled a drop yet. I’m still good,” he said with a chuckle.

Camp said he first picked up a paintbrush when he was a teenager. Over the years, he left his mark on the sides of buildings from Polk County to Mississippi, including Treasure Marts in Bartow. Now, people from all over travel to Bartow just to buy one of his paintings.

"I think of the good Lord when I paint, because he’s the one who gave it to me," Camp said. "And I’ve done a good job lighting up the city, beautifying it. You’re not playing the part of anybody — you’re playing the part that God wants you to play. And I enjoy doing what I did. I brought a lot of love toward myself and people."

Bartow leaders recognized his contributions during a city commission meeting earlier this month, which Camp received wearing his cowboy hat and with a song in his heart.

"I love me an old western song," he said.

While inside City Hall, Commissioner Leo Longworth shared a few words as he presented Camp with the 2025 Black History Month Champion Award.

"So, we want to present to you and introduce to others, James L. ‘Cowboy’ Lone Star Camp, the man who Hollywood overlooked," Longworth said.

Now, Camp is certainly in the spotlight.

"I feel satisfied," he said. "I feel like I’m wanted. Like I’m someone."

But to the community, Camp is more than just somebody — he’s a legend. And if you ask him, he would say it wouldn’t have been possible without God and his supporters.

"And I want to thank you all out there, people that I never saw," he said. "I’m your friend. Regardless of who you are, I’m a friend and I just want you to know that."

In addition to being honored this year by Bartow’s City Commission, the city had also previously proclaimed June 10 as James “Lone Star” Camp Day.