Note Type
Antony Hayton, Exhibit DirectorNote
Samuel "Sam" Newton (1948 - )
Everglades Midday
Oil on Upson Board circa 1969
Image size 24" X 36"
Mr. Newton is a quiet dedicated artist, when people refer to him as a Highwayman, Sam Newton explains that his brother Harold passed away in 1994 before the group was given the name "Highwaymen", and so thinking of the painters as a collective just doesn’t make sense. He simply wants to be known as Sam Newton, or sometimes a ‘Highwayman Not.’
From the very beginning of his painting career, Sam Newton concentrated on making quality paintings, much like his elder brother Harold. He began using professional artist’s supplies early in his career. Being recognized as an artist has always been important to Newton. In order to produce paintings he is proud to sign as his, he paints slowly, paying careful attention to composition, color, and details. His works are crisp and clear, with great attention to the way a landscape looks. They are more about reality than an impression.
Sam Newton continues painting commissions at his home on Merritt Island. Most of his paintings now are more detailed and smaller in size than his earlier 2' X 3' works. Towering popcorn cumulus rise above an Everglade spoil island as two egrets wade in the quiet waters hoping to find their midday lunch. It would seem inappropriate for Highwaymen paintings to have no birds, those that don't have birds seem empty of life. These scenes of Florida's fauna and natural beauty beg to have a bird or two. Rarer yet are birds in flight.