The Florida Highwaymen were a group of African American artists who created vivid, impressionistic landscapes of Florida in the mid-20th century. Their art is characterized by bright, bold colors and dramatic scenes of Florida’s natural beauty—beaches, sunsets, swamps, and sprawling trees. These artists, influenced by Florida landscape artist Alfred “Beanie” Backus (1906-1990), started something unique and special in the 1950's & 1960's. Relatively unknown until 1994, the term "Highwaymen" didn't exist until art aficionado Jim Fitch coined the term when researching the paintings. In the 1990s and 2000s, art historians and collectors began to discover and celebrate their work, leading to an increase in value and visibility. Today, the Highwaymen are celebrated not only for their artistic talent but for the resilience and entrepreneurship they demonstrated in the face of adversity. Primarily from the Fort Pierce, Gifford, and Treasure Coast area, their painted landscapes allowed the artists to earn a living selling their works door-to-door to businesses, banks, doctor's offices, and individuals throughout Florida. The artists sold their paintings, often still wet, stacked in the trunks of their cars along the Eastern coastal roads up and down Florida from Fort Pierce to out West Central Florida and down to Miami. Most of the Florida Highwaymen were self-taught and developed their own techniques to portray Florida’s beauty. They painted with a freedom and creativity that reflected their intimate connection to the landscape. While some had formal training, the majority learned through trial and error, honing their craft by painting scenes from their surroundings.

The Highwaymen artists created large numbers of relatively inexpensive Florida landscape paintings for sale using mostly cheap construction materials (upson board) rather than traditional art supplies (canvas) and framed their paintings with their hand made crown molding frames. These artists focused on a strong demand for untouched landscapes of Florida. With a philosophy of bringing the artwork to where it would sell, the artists pioneered a system of traveling and selling their works in towns and cities (and along roadsides) throughout Florida out of their automobiles earning the moniker "Highwaymen" artists. Their success, talent, and longevity is remarkable considering they began their career in the racially unsettled and violent times of the 1950's in Florida during the social conditions of the Jim Crow South. They have been called "The Last Great American Art Movement of the 20th century". The Florida Highwaymen story is one of perseverance and artistic vision. It’s a tale of individuals who, against the odds, painted not just beautiful landscapes but also created an enduring testament to the history and natural beauty of Florida.

The artists: Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, R.A. (Roy) McLendon, James Gibson, Livingston (Castro) Roberts, Mary Ann Carroll, Al Black, brothers Sam, Harold, and Lemuel "Lem" Newton, Curtis Arnett, Hezekiah Baker, brothers Ellis & George Buckner, Robert Butler, brothers Johnny & Willie Daniels, Rodney Demps, Isaac Knight, Robert "RL" Lewis, John Maynor, Alphonso (Poncho) Moran, Willie Reagan, Carnell "Pete" Smith, Charles Walker, Sylvester "S.M." Wells, and Charles "Chico" Wheeler.

Interested in the sale of your Highwaymen artwork?
Trust the experts at Vero Beach Auction.
Selling Highwaymen artwork since 2007, we pride ourselves on quality, honesty, and integrity.
Call us at 772-978-5955 or email info@verobeachauction.com to discuss selling your paintings!