A.E. “Bean” Backus

A.E. Backus was a man ahead of his time. His art studio was open to a plethora of would-be artists, in a time when segregation was rampant in Florida. Backus is credited for having taught the now referred to "Highwaymen Artist" Harold Newton how to paint. 

The Backus technique in particular is the use of a palette knife, creating layered thick paint in a fine art style depicting the "old Florida," with its puffy white clouds, bright blue skies, sunshine, and the lush flora and fauna indicative of central and the coastal parts of the state. Backus even painted wild Florida land and sea birds, plus livestock into his works; the multi-generational long horn steer brought over by Spanish settlers were in striking contrast to what people envisioned in regard to the "real Florida," with its sandy beaches. The attention to detail and realism made Backus paintings even more unique. He was famous in his time, and his paintings are still sought after today.