Highwayman Painter R. L. Lewis.

There was a fundraiser at the University Club across from Orlando’s Downtown Library. Today the University Club is just a pit of rubble as new construction has begun on a 22-story highrise on that street corner. This fundraiser’s cause was Art for Education. The evening was a fine-art exhibition and sale, with all proceeds going toward The University Club Foundation Scholarship Fund. There was artwork by students and local artists. There were complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

I don’t remember to much about the art on display. I tend to walk through big shows like this quickly and only stop when a piece speaks to me. Will Benton had one of his large circular paintings on display.

R. L. Lewis was executing a painting, so I settled in to sketch him at work. He sold several pieces and his wife handled the sales. His work is bright and almost luminescent with bold brush work. In looking up his work, I discovered he sells prints at Walmart for $23.45. That blows my mind. I am missing the bandwagon in finding ways to distribute my work.