100407 Artist Kenneth John KEN
the original florida highwaymen are a group of black artists who painted along the beaches, rivers and causeways around indian river and brevard counties and other areas of florida. on the east coast, half way between jacksonville and miami. some of the cities along the coast are vero beach, melbourne and cocoa beach. south of cape canaveral where the space program is housed and the rockets launched. i grew up in this area, moved to indialantic florida in 1958.
these painters, particularily harold newton are a big influence on my paintings. impressionistic style and he really exaggerated the colors, sunsets and moon scapes. the below painting, 24x48" was purchased in 1964 by my mother at a drugstore in indialantic on the beach for $75. the highwayman painted these scenes and they crafted their own frames, which are actually crown moulding that was white washed. he used brushes and painting knives. the painting still hangs as the main center piece in my mother's living room.
