Commemorating the Life and Legacy of Willie Brown Daniels,
The Highwaymen Heritage Trail
Willie Daniels 1951 - September 19, 2021; We are really gonna miss you!
"The History Maker!" Willie Browne Daniels is a core legend,
of the Florida Highwaymen Original Artists.
His story, began as a boy in the 1960s when he began to paint in Fort Pierce, Florida.
His method of learning was by watching his good friends;
Roy McLendon Sr., Livingston “Castro” Roberts, and Harold and Sam Newton,
who were most influential. His younger brother
Johnny Lee Daniels learned to paint in his early teen years by
watching his older brother, and “Castro.”
Willie enjoys telling the story of one of his fondest memories. While living in Augusta Georgia, he met one of America's most famous singers, James Brown. The singer admired the paintings from Willie's collection, and Brown's secretary wrote a check buying several. "Willie says," "it was an honor to meet the icon, but to have him purchase my work, I was thrilled!"
Willie Daniels has made a significant lifetime achievement to the state of Florida, as a Florida Highwaymen Original Artists of Fort Pierce, Florida.
He created his own destiny over decades and sold art from the trunk of his car along Florida’s highways. He never realized his life’s work would be so highly recognized by the Museum of Florida's History and the world!
In 2004, Willie Daniels was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in Tallahassee Florida.
The 50-year veteran, Willie Daniels has a 2nd Generation! Hall of Fame Florida Original Highwaymen Artist Johnny "Hook" Daniels died May 26, 2009. Over the years, Willie continued to paint side by side with Johnny's protege' AJ Brown as their Florida Highwaymen Historic Artist, 2nd Generation heritage, she is known as God-family. In 2008, Willie gifted AJ with a drawing of himself, drawn by his neighborhood friend, nicknamed Red; a keepsake, and memory she cherishes. Willie spends his days in Fort Pierce, living a simple life with his family and painting the nostalgic state of Florida he loves and remembers. "Willie Daniels is a heritage worth preserving!" Few may claim this honor, Florida Original Highwaymen or 2nd Generation Highwaymen. The unique Florida Highwaymen painters pressed on through a segregated era when all odds were against them. They made it! Willie's paintings now grace the nation's highest office's, governor's mansions, state capitol buildings and a number of historic museums throughout the United States of America and around the world.
A Special Tribute: The Iconic Legend Has Passed, Florida Highwaymen Artist Willie Daniels, An Elite History Maker Of The Group, Died Early Sunday Morning, September 19, 2021 At Age 71.
Willie Daniels, The Painter, The Mentor, The Legend, The Man.
HONORED TO BE AMERICA’S HISTORY!
AJ Brown and Willie Daniels visits his brother Johnny, Willie and AJ grieves 6/8/2015
Willie Daniels has a legacy, Daniels and AJ Brown paints on her Fort Pierce back porch studio 5/21/2012
Willie Daniels, the painter, the mentor, the legend, the man, mentored AJ Brown Feb 2008
AJ Brown was mentored by the early 1950s Highwaymen, Willie and Johnny Daniels
Willie Daniels and AJ Brown prepares for their Jacksonville Florida art show 4/4/2013
AJ Brown, Willie Daniels and Roy McLendon Sr. Willie showcase his painting 6/22/2015
AJ Brown was mentored by early 1950s Hall of Fame Original Highwaymen Willie, Johnny Daniels
Willie Daniels, James Gibson, AJ Brown art exhibit in Jacksonville, Florida 10/3/2013
Military Family, Al Black, AJ Brown, Willie Daniels, and family in Fort Pierce, Florida 2009
Willie Daniels teaches AJ Brown St Lucie River subjects, expressions of light, summer of 2008