1990s Original Florida Highwaymen Landscape Painting by Sam Newton

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From 1950s through the 1980s, a group of twenty six African American artists in Florida began using bright colors to … Read more From 1950s through the 1980s, a group of twenty six African American artists in Florida began using bright colors to show the untouched Florida landscape the way it was before it was developed for tourism, a wild collection of marshes, inlets, and waterscapes full of birds and palm trees. Considered the beginning of Florida's contemporary art movement and known as the Florida Highwaymen, these skilled and largely self-taught artists would quickly paint a number of canvases from their garages and back yards to be sold on the road, from the trunks of their cars, and door to door, anywhere there was a market for Florida decor.
Sam Newton, while considered one of the original Highwaymen, has always asserted himself as an individual artist, encouraged by his older brother Harold (himself a Highwayman) to paint quality work. His fine work resulted in demand for his paintings into the 2000s, with commissioned work and new paintings made into this time. This particular example, painted on Upson-style artist board, is dated on upper right back for September of 1996 and signed lower right front, showing a sunset or sunrise view of birds taking flight above the water, flanked by Spanish moss and palm trees. Painting measures 23 3/4 inches tall and 35 3/4 inches wide, rustic framed to a full size of 26 1/4 inches tall and 39 1/4 inches wide. Wire to hang. See less