Palm Springs Villager - February 1950 - Cover Poster

The Spectacular Tramway Project. Cover Illustration by O.E.L.Graves.

O.E. L. Graves (1897 - 1971) was an American artist and painter/sculptor based in Palm Springs, California during Hollywood's golden years. His client list included many of the rich and famous of his era, from movie stars (Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Janet Gaynor)to business magnates (Raymond Loewys, George R. Hearst Sr.)to shady criminal kingpins.

His own personal life was just as full of high intrigue and secrecy as the famous clients he cultivated. As a result, his need to maintain a relatively low profile in his private life has relegated him to near obscurity in death as an artist. His works include delicate watercolors, fine detailed portraits, impressionistic oils, sculptures in metal, and some techniques of his own invention.

Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Graves had a strong interest in Native Americans throughout his career, which is reflected in many of his paintings. He was also a cowpuncher, rodeo rider, and trick roper, able to throw a 100-foot circle of rope and lasso eight horses at once. After World War II,

Graves moved to Palm Springs, California to illustrate covers for The Palm Springs Villager magazine, a local publication in the famous celebrity town. Palm Springs then became his base of operations for a successful career as a fine artist.