The Florida Highwaymen Art Movement: The Florida Highwaymen are a group of well-known African-American landscape artists of the 1950s and 60s.  The contributions of the young men and one woman led to one of the most significant art movements in Florida and America's history.  Some of the most famous leaders and legends are Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, Roy McLendon, Livingston Roberts, James Gibson, Sam Newton, Mary Ann Carroll, Willie, Johnny Daniels, Al Black, and the sales crew historians scholars of their time.  The young men pioneered the early art movement amid systemic racism.  Unfortunately, the Jim Crow era of segregation journeyed difficult times for the legends in the deep south.

It was out of necessity when twenty-six innovators evolved; all were searching for a better life than picking oranges that could not keep food on kitchen tables.  Their origination was mainly in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood.  However, some resided out of Vero Beach and Florida's Treasure Coast areas.  With no formal training, the self-taught group created makeshift materials and taught one another to paint Florida's serene landscapes.

During the racial tones of the Jim Crow South, museums and galleries would not showcase the work of these black artists.  Instead, Florida's highways of A1A and byways of US 1 were the old stomping grounds, where twenty-six painters of equal importance to the movement made ends meet.  As tourists visited the sunshine state and the locals lived, vacationers encountered the future legends of the road along the side.  The trunks of their cars revealed a majestic timeless Florida.  Oil paintings sold for $25 or 35 dollars are now among the most well-received nostalgic national treasures.

It was out of necessity when the men traded goods for services, a motel room to lay their heads, or gas to make it home at night.  Doctors, lawyers, banks, politicians, and folks near and far purchased and collected their work.  During their heyday, the 1950s-1980s, the group captured the state of Florida and, it is said, documented over 200,000 vivid, colorful landscapes and is still painting today.

The Florida Highwaymen earned their title in 1994 under one name for how the young entrepreneurs sold their paintings, door to door, along the highways and byways of Olde, Florida.  The Highwaymen movement was initiated predominantly by friends, three sets of family, and a few acquaintances.

In 1973 the 2nd Generation was established by the original Highwaymen.  The Original Highwaymen earned legendary fame over decades.  The original scholars were instrumental in forming the "Second Generation Movement." The iconic Florida landscape painters mentored close friends and family and handed down their name, history, and heritage to a selective, handpicked 2nd Generation.  The Original Highwaymen has sustained for well over sixty years.  The impact of the prominent 2nd Generation has played a significant extension in the sustainability of the original art movement.

Like the Originals, blood, and non-blood, the "Historic 2nd Generation Movement" began and helped create 200,000 landscapes.  Over time, painting Florida and performing art shows together became and continues to be a tradition for both groups.  The Generation after, typically twenty years younger, grew up during the segregated times, keeps history alive as they continue to paint the 1950s and 60s state of Florida Civil Rights Era.

Highwaymen Handpicked the 1990s: The 40-year veteran Highwaymen Johnny Lee Daniels had no heirs that painted.  For over a decade, during the 1990s, the art educator became well-known for teaching his craft to four men and one woman, AJ Brown.  Finally, the legendary Johnny Daniels bestowed his heritage and established five prominent members as Highwaymen artists.  Daniels advanced 2nd Generation Johnny Stovall, Kelvin Hair, and AJ Brown as his business partners in his Highwaymen Art Galleries in Fort Pierce, Florida.  Jimmy Stovall learned by watching Daniels paint and pursued his art career as an Original Highwayman.  Richard Edwards was the last member to receive the teachings of Johnny Daniels.

Johnny Daniels followed in the steps of his colleagues, the Original Highwaymen, respective 1950s tradition.  A.E. Backus taught Alfred Hair.  Alfred Hair and Harold Newton led friends and family.  Not all twenty-six Original Highwaymen were blood-related, but together, under one name and one accomplishment, all are historically written in history as the Florida Highwaymen.

Early Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen James Gibson, a 50-year veteran, has a legacy.  In 2005, Gibson was the first to teach AJ Brown the history of the Highwaymen and the painting techniques of the famous signature Red Royal Poinciana trees.  Then, after two years and a demanding schedule, Gibson suggested she continue to paint with Johnny Daniels, and so she did.

The icons revealed stories of Highwaymen's history, shared memories and myths, and tales of their past!
Over the years, legends witnessed as AJ Brown was endorsed as a member and is historically the only female friend among the "Historic 2nd Generation" group.
What was once a familiar dynamic among the Original group, "friends" are an old 1950s tradition, and a female friend is a rare find among both generations."
Today, Brown refers to herself as the "Florida Highwaymen Historic Generation, and earns her living through sales of her work." Supported by four iconic early Originals, Brown's journey is one of uniqueness; she is a story untold.  HONORED TO BE PART OF AMERICA'S HISTORY!