Letter to the Editor: A big ‘thank you’ to Highwayman Robert Lewis

Robert L. Lewis at work in the window of Antique Boutique

A big ‘thank you’ to Robert L. Lewis, one of the last original Highwaymen painters for his amazing and inspirational demonstration at The Antique Boutique.

What a blessing it was to have him grace us with his amazing artistic talent during Tarpon Festival Weekend, May 19 and 20.

For those who don’t know, the Highwaymen were a group of painters who re-created Florida landscapes on canvas and sold them to tourists throughout the 1960s and 70s on the sides of Florida highways. Originally these paintings sold for $20 to $30, but now are highly sought after and are worth thousands of dollars.

Mr. Lewis, a retired teacher, has recently won “best of show’ at the Cedar Key Art Festival, been featured at the Dade City Art Festival, just to name the most recent.

He was inducted into the Artists’ Hall of Fame, and lectures at many colleges across the country.

Presently he owns a gallery in Cocoa Beach where he resides, which is operated by his son, Robert L. Lewis III. The gallery features Lewis’ paintings, along with those by other Highwaymen.

If you had the opportunity to see him at work in the window of our store on Saturday, May 19, you would understand why his work is displayed in many museums. He effortlessly painted a scene of the St. Johns River while sharing stories with the people who came in and talked to him.

Congratulations to all who acquired a piece of his work!

I would also like to thank Alex, owner of 3rd Street Cafe, for the most charming ‘meet and greet’, which he hosted at the restaurant with Mr. Lewis later that afternoon. The wine was great, and the conversation and the company were unsurpassed.

If you were unable to see this great man at work, the painting Mr. Lewis created that day will be on display at the 3rd Street Cafe.  

Chelsea Combrink
 Antique Boutique