The Artist
Biography
Robert L. Lewis
Highwayman Artist
R.L. Lewis is one of the quietly creative and versatile figures of a Florida Landscape Artist tradition that has become known as THE HIGHWAYMEN. He is also a retired Art Teacher of 32 years in the Brevard County School System.
The Early Years
R. L. Lewis was born in Cocoa, Fl on the Indian River Lagoon, as the third of six siblings. His mother was inspirational in helping to encourage his desire to sketch and draw what he saw. A sports injury during his junior year in high school forced him to be assigned to art class at historically black Monroe High School in 1958.
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His High School Art Teacher was very inspirational in helping him to expose his artistic talents.
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He drew large crowds of students in art class with his artistic drawings and sketches.
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Drew inspiration from reading an article about the great Florida Landscape Artist Harold Newton while in high school. This was given to him by Ms. Leisure.
2004 Florida Artist
Hall of Fame Inductee
The College Years and Work History
Heavily encouraged by a family friend to further pursue his artistic talents at the college level. Attended Edward Water College (Jacksonville, FL), Syracuse University (New York) and finally Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL) before graduating in 1966 with a B.A. Degree in Art Education. Worked as an Illustrator for Boeing upon graduation. Taught Art Education in Brevard County for 32 years. Worked for over 15 years as a part-time teacher at Brevard Community College as an Art Adult Education instructor from the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s.
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Also taught for the Cocoa Village Art Adult Education Association on a part-time basis for over 10 years.
Artistic Variety and Forte
Artistic variety includes: Still Life Scenes and Portraits Early in artistic career: Sculpting Artistic Forte: Florida Scenes such as Landscape, Coastal, and Interior Scenes which he started to actively sell his art starting in 1967 Brevard county and many other areas of Central Florida. He also sold his art in Northeast Florida and parts of the Panhandle.