Florida Highwaymen Artist-R.L. Lewis

 Robert Lewis is one of the original "Florida Highwaymen" artists, and has been inducted in the Florida Hall of Fame for Artists. He is one of a group of African-American painters from the 1950's and 1960's who continues to paint Florida landscapes. Unable to sell their paintings in galleries at that time, they sold them from the trunks of their cars along the highway.

This jovial, gregarious man talked, answered numerous questions, and painted at the same time. His technique is wet-on-wet. Below is the progression of one of his paintings.

The artist painting only from his mind, none of us knowing the outcome.

Here's hubby, pretending he didn't know he was in the picture. :P

 The end result. Amazing! I can't imagine fending off questions and still completing this wonderful painting.

Robert Lewis, age 71, is an example of persevering and believing. I feel privileged to have witnessed this.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6  

May I remember that the Master's hand is still holding my wet paintbrush, until He signs my portrait.

photos:karenrevans

Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Theatre, was built in 1926, and still is host to performers, movies and other things. Once a month they give tours, so naturally I brought my camera. Come tour with me for a bit with a few of my pictures.

Here's the box office for tickets. Now you know something elaborate is coming.

This is the outside light right before you enter the doors to the lobby with all it's wonderful artistic carvings above. Now please bear with my shots. The entire theatre was dimly lit, and my pictures are not the best, but you'll get the picture. ha, "get the picture..."

Okay, seriously, has anyone ever drunk out of a water fountain like this???

In the lobby all around near the concession stand rimming the ceiling are gargoyles. Kind'a different, huh? But amazing.

This is the stage. Once orchestras played in the pit there, now it is just a stage.

But there still is an old Wurlitzer pipe organ that rises up from underneath with a sound that'll knock your socks off! (1,400 pipes)

This desk is the "only" original piece of furniture there, the rest has been restored. I snapped a quick picture and promised myself I'd come back and get a better one on the way out. I didn't want to miss out on anything on the tour, so I ran with the group. But sadly as you see, I didn't remember to go back and get a better picture. The item I wanted to capture the most, I passed by.

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:6

Lord, why is it I sometimes treat those I love the same way, in such a hurry, I just give them a cursory word or acknowledgement? Or even worse, make them feel bad.

Teach me to stop for the important things.

Photos:karenrevans