Highwaymen Art Gallery

Kelvin Hair was born in Vero Beach, Florida. He is the son of Alfred Hair and Mattie Thornton. He is married to his wife Meditha Hair. He is the proud father of three children. Kelvin is a retired Firefighter-Saint Lucie County Florida-30+years of service. 

Kelvin’s dad first introduced him to art when he was a toddler. Although Kelvin’s father passed away before Kelvin was old enough to be fundamentally proficient in the craft, Kelvin had a rooted desire for art that manifested itself as early as middle school where  he would draw constantly and even used the walls of his bedroom as a canvas to create original works of art fueled by bold imagination. 

Kelvin started painting on canvas with oil in high school at the age of 16. Kelvin met artist A.E.Backus at the age of 17. Backus widely known to be the art teacher of the Highwaymen founder, Alfred Hair, immediately took to Kelvin. As Kelvin began shaping his skills, he took one of his paintings to Backus to critique to see if his father’s artistic gift was inherited as many had thought. Not a stranger to evaluating works for budding artist Backus was supportive of the younger Hair’s efforts and told him he was on the right track and to keep painting but pay more attention to his colors. There is no doubt that getting advice and approval from one of the best was enough to strengthen Kelvin’s commitment to excel as an artist. But what Kelvin remembers most about that meeting is when Backus hugged him and started crying and said “I loved your father very much.” It was apparent that his father was much more than a student to Backus…he was someone special. 

Throughout the years Kelvin built on his talent and experiences, and was fortunate enough to meet another kindred spirit from his father’s past.  highwaymen Johnny “Hook” Daniels. Johnny helped hone Kelvin’s skills the old-fashion highwaymen way. Kelvin recalls Johnny picking up a brush and saying to Kelvin, “see if you can follow me boy.” There was little to no preplanning…no sketching…just put in the horizon line and start painting. 

Kelvin continued painting intermittently until 2000 when he started painting full-time. Kelvin's first road trip selling art was with Albert "Al" Black. Al is known as the best salesman ever. Whenever Kelvin needed money, he would say to Al lets hit the road. Al would smile and say. we leave in the morning. 

Kelvin has developed a loyal fan base that is amazed and delighted by his vision, expressiveness, imagination, and artist integrity that’s displayed in his work. 

He was selected by the Governor to be the Black History month artist for the state of Florida. He has been featured nationally on the Today Show. His paintings are featured on the cover of many magazines such as Citrus Annual, the first issue of the Saint Lucie Travel Guide etc. He has done art exhibits in many galleries around the US including exhibits for Governor Rick Scott and Charlie Christ at the state capital and influence on American art.