The Florida Highwaymen
While I’m waiting for the primer on my canvas to dry, I thought I’d share about a massive influence on my love of landscapes and painting in general. Native to Florida, The Highwaymen were a group of 26 black artists active in the 1950s-1970s who produced and sold paintings that capture a lot of the beauty of Florida. One of the grandson’s of the original Highwaymen lived in the same town as me and would paint in our downtown square. I spent a lot of time sitting with him and watching him work. He was exceptionally kind and used to give me impromptu lessons if I looked sad enough.
They would set up by the roadside and paint and sell all from one spot. They spent a great deal of time in the area that I grew up in, so to me, their paintings are home. Many of their paintings can still be found in the wild today, my family owns a handful of them and everyone knows I am the inheritor of those paintings (or else I’ll knife someone), however, several are also available for viewing in not only local Florida museums but also the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
They produced over an estimated 200,000 paintings so it’s hard to find photographs of most of them, but here’s some of my favorites from those that are photographed.
Dock at the Bay, Harold Newton
Rough and Windy Coastal Scene, Harold Newton
Okay I do very specifically have a soft spot for all of Harold Newton’s work in particular.…
Sunset in Paradise, Harold Newton
James Gibson
Sadly this one isn’t attributed, however, I have a sneaking suspicion I know EXACTLY where it was painted!!
