COVER STORY – A BREVARD COUNTY TREASURE
R.L. Lewis
R.L. Lewis will be celebrating his 80th Birthday, February 3, 2021.Through his paintings he depicts Florida’s natural beauty while telling the story of its history.
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.
His High School Art Teacher encouraged and assisted Lewis in bringing forth his artistic talents. He drew large crowds of students in art class watching him sketch. Much of his inspiration came from reading an article given to him by his teacher about the Great Florida Landscape Artist Harold Newton.
A family friend urged Lewis to further pursue his art at the college level. He attended Edward Water College in Jacksonville, Fl., Syracuse University, N.Y. and finally Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, FL before graduating in 1966 with a B.A. Degree in Art Education.
Lewis worked as an illustrator for Boeing upon graduation. He taught art education in Brevard County for 32 years as well as teaching Adult Art Education at Brevard Community College from the late 1970’s to the early1990’s.
If you wish to view more of his artwork to www.rllewisartist.net
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