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Livingston "Castro" Roberts (1942-2004)
Livingston "Castro" Roberts was a prominent figure among the Florida Highwaymen, a collective of African-American artists who became known for their vibrant landscape paintings. Born with a passion for art, Roberts began painting at a young age, using leftover house paint to create his earliest works. His artistry was shaped by the mentorship of renowned artists such as Harold Newton, A.E. Backus, and Alfred Hair, whose influence pushed him to refine his skills and focus on meticulous detail, particularly in his depictions of colorful skies and reflective waters. Al Black, a key salesman for the Highwaymen, praised Roberts as the best painter in the group, noting that his paintings sold themselves from Key West to Montgomery, Alabama.
In 1957, Roberts moved to Fort Pierce to live with his grandmother, where he formed a close friendship with fellow artist Alfred Hair. Their shared passion for painting fostered a creative bond that would define their early careers. While Hair was known for his rapid painting style, Roberts took inspiration from Newton's disciplined approach, emphasizing quality over speed. Tragically, the murder of Hair in 1970 deeply affected Roberts, leading him to relocate to upstate New York for a time. His landscapes from this period are occasionally rediscovered. Upon returning to Florida in 1975, he resumed capturing the unique beauty of the state's scenery.
Throughout his career, Roberts consistently sought to improve his craft and mentor younger artists, helping to nurture the next generation of Highwaymen. Known for his individual style, he often painted in his yard, envisioning scenes rather than adhering strictly to outdoor painting methods. His works reflect a blend of influences that resonate with the legacy of the French Impressionists. With a mastery of the palette knife and a keen eye for detail, Livingston "Castro" Roberts created treasured representations of Florida's natural beauty, contributing significantly to the Highwaymen movement